Monongahela police: Man caused $4,000 in damages breaking into parking meters
Monongahela police arrested a homeless man who they said caused at least $4,000 in damages by breaking into 21 parking meters in the city.
Russell Michael Marycz, 41, is facing 21 counts each of receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and theft and three counts of possession of an instrument of crime with intent.
He was taken into custody just after midnight Tuesday. Monongahela City Police Department Chief Brian Tempest said he was found with pry bars and cutters, in addition to parking meter pieces.
Tempest said Marycz was breaking into the meters during a six-week period on Main, Fourth, Second and Chess streets. He said officers began emptying the meters regularly, thinking the small amount of money would deter him. Instead, Marycz broke into more meters, he said.
鈥淔or a few dollars, he cost us several thousand,鈥� Tempest said.
Tempest said surveillance footage showed Marycz walking to a convenience store while breaking into meters, and paying for coffee and cigarettes with only quarters.
Some of the meters are not repairable, Tempest said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e in the process now of figuring out the least expensive way,鈥� he said.
Marycz was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David W. Mark and lodged in Washington County Prison in lieu of a $25,000 bond.
His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for 2:30 p.m. July 11 before Magisterial District Judge James C. Ellis.