Missing woman's boyfriend in court on unrelated charge

GREENSBURG — The boyfriend of missing Latrobe woman Cassandra Gross faced a judge on an unrelated charge Monday.

Thomas Stanko was in court for a preliminary hearing on a count of receiving stolen property.

Investigators said Stanko received an ATV that was allegedly stolen 20 years ago.

Stanko hid his face when Channel 11 asked him questions following his hearing today.

TRENDING NOW:

• Car crashes into front door of home; woman on couch feet away
• Pregnant woman in critical condition, 1 other injured in double shooting
• California couple tortured, burned Vietnam veteran as children watched, police say
• VIDEO: Waffle House Shooting: 'Hero' Disarmed Shooter and Tossed Rifle Over Counter

This charge stems from when detectives searched his house and his mother’s as they investigated the disappearance of Gross.

Stanko has not been named a suspect in her disappearance.

"We were willing to come in and speak with them and answer more questions, then they arrested him on these charges so we're dealing with it one step at a time," said Stanko's attorney David Shrager

RELATED STORY: Attorney: Missing woman's boyfriend has nothing to hide

Stanko's preliminary hearing was continued, but his attorney asked the judge to reduce his bail from $100,000 and the judge agreed, saying for a property crime, he thought $5,000 was more appropriate.

"We believe that to be disproportionate. I felt it was too high. We made an argument to the judge and the judge saw it my way and lowered it to $5,000," Shrager said.

Stanko was also charged with 28 counts of illegally having a gun.  He’s also charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment for an alleged bar fight in 2017.

Gross was reported missing by her family on April 10.  Her Mitsubishi Outlander was found near railroad tracks later that day.  Investigators said it had been set on fire.

State police urge anyone with information about Cassandra Gross to call 911. 

Cox Media Group