City employee accused of stealing from home while on the job

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh Public Works employee - John Minard - was in court Monday on charges of theft from a duplex in Brookline.

The case against Minard was held for court.

According to Pittsburgh police, the theft happened mid-April when Minard and a coworker were sent to this duplex on Brookline Boulevard to check out a "311 complaint about a vacant structure not secured."

Police said the property owner showed up at the same time and saw a Department of Public Work's truck similar to this one parked out front. The front door to his property had been forced open.

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The property owner told police he saw Minard "walk out with a large blue cup filled with $150 and change" and when he checked the duplex more than "$7,000" in jewelry was missing.

When questioned by police, Minard reportedly admitted to taking the money but not the jewelry telling police "OK I'm lying. I took the cup and I took the money."

Channel 11 checked with officials at DPW to find out Minard's job status and were told Minard has been suspended for five days termination pending. He has been employed as a carpenter since March 2017.

Cox Media Group