Ex-Employee Accused of Stealing Cash From Spa Client

A Pittsburgh woman accused of stealing cash from a day spa client is scheduled to appear Tuesday in court.

Erin Bush, 25, failed to appear last week in Leetsdale District Court on charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. She was placed in the Allegheny County Jail the same day and released on $3,000 bond.

Sewickley police said Bush had just been hired as an esthetician at Casa Dolce Spa when she reportedly took $120 on Aug. 24 from a client’s purse. Police said Bush engaged in small talk and rummaged through the woman's purse as the client waited on a nearby table.

The client realized $120 was missing when she attempted to retrieve an envelope from her purse. She confronted Bush, who denied taking it, then left claiming to have an appointment, according to police. The owner arrived a short time later and was advised of what happened. She told police Bush was just hired two days earlier, officers said.

The following day, police said they made contact over the telephone with Bush, who they said admitted to stealing the money. 

The following people were also charged and scheduled for preliminary hearings Oct. 2:

Waived

• Mark Sansom, 38, of Dubois, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Sewickley police said Samson's vehicle triggered a four-car crash Aug. 25 on Route 65 at River Avenue in Glen Osborne. Police reported a blood-alcohol level of 0.160 percent, above the state's legal limit of 0.08 percent. 

• Colleen Stoll, 39, of Crescent, charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of children and one count of driving under the influence of alcohol. Sewickley police stopped Stoll’s vehicle during a DUI checkpoint July 14 on Route 65 at the Sewickley Country Inn. Police said Stoll attempted to turn her vehicle around as she approached the checkpoint. Two children ages 8 and 6 were in the car, police said. Police reported Stoll’s blood-alcohol content of 0.141 percent, above the state's legal limit of 0.08 percent. 

Held

• Sharon Lepore, 40, and Richard Sweger, 40, both of Center Township, are charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal attempt. Lepore is also charged with theft and receiving stolen property. Sewickley police said Lepore swindled Sewickley businesses out of money by returning items she never purchased. Sweger assisted in one incident.

Reduced

• Gregory Leigh, 61 of Leetsdale, charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Leetsdale police reported Leigh was involved in a car crash on Route 65 after he hit a stopped car at the Village Drive traffic light. Police said the other driver, Paul Dambach, took a picture of Leigh’s license plate before they pulled over to a parking lot. Leigh decided he wasn’t staying and left, police said. .