Man busted with stolen jewelry after overdosing in bank

NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. — A suspected jewelry thief was caught after overdosing in a bank while trying to open up a safety deposit box.

Police were called to the PNC Bank in North Huntingdon Township just before noon on Saturday for a report of a man who was passed out. Paramedics treated him for a drug overdose.

North Huntington police found three plastic bags full of jewelry with the man, who was later identified at Kenneth Rossi.

Rossi was in court Wednesday for the first time since he overdosed. Channel 11’s Melanie Gillespie will have the latest developments from the courtroom on Channel 11 News at 5 p.m.

Police said the jewelry, worth $37,000, still had the tags attached. The jewelry was stolen during a smash-and-grab robbery at Jake's Haggle Hut in Jeannette.

“I was really surprised. I said holy smokes, karma gets you,” said Jake Cunningham, owner of Jake’s Haggle Hut.

Cunningham was happy to hear the jewelry had been recovered and the man responsible is behind bars.

“My heart stopped. I was as happy as can be.," he said. "We were really busy in the store that day so I said sorry everybody I have to leave. I was really excited.”

According to a criminal complaint, Rossi told police he snorted heroin before going into the bank. He’s facing charges of receiving stolen property.

Cunningham said he’s putting in more security, in addition to the cameras that caught the smash-and-grab on video.

RELATED: Smash-and-grab sets Jeannette business owner back at least $20K

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