Crime & Safety

Update: Sewickley Scam Suspect a No Show in Court

A Beaver County woman accused of scamming Sewickley businesses failed to appear for a court hearing Tuesday. She is facing additional charges in a separate case, again accused of fraudulently requesting a refund.

An Aliquippa woman accused of swindling Sewickley businesses out of cash was recently charged with fraud again after she tricked Robinson Township hotel employees into issuing her a cash refund on a hotel room, according to reports. 

Sharon Lepore, 40, was scheduled to appear in court today, but didn't show up for a hearing in Leetsdale District Court. She is accused of scamming three Sewickley businesses to get fast money. In each case, Sewickley police said Lepore took an item off a store shelf, pretended she was overcharged for it and demanded a refund without producing a receipt.

She is charged with three counts each of theft and receiving stolen property, two counts of criminal attempt and one count of conspiracy.

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Accused accomplice Richard Sweger, 40, of Aliquippa also failed to report for court. He is charged by Sewickley police with criminal conspiracy and criminal attempt. 

Robinson Township Police have also charged Lepore after police said she walked into the Holiday Inn Express on Campbell's Run Road at midnight on Sept. 23 and requested a $99 refund for a May overnight stay in the hotel. 

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The hotel's clerk issued Lepore the cash, only to discover a day later that the hotel has no record of her staying in the hotel, police said in a complaint.

Police said Lepore provided the hotel staffer with a false address and phone number. 

She has been charged with theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Lepore was also charged earlier this year with attempting to dupe employees at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott in Moon Township out of cash refunds. In both incidents, neither hotel had a record of Lepore staying as a guest. 

A preliminary hearing has been set for Oct. 30 in Robinson District Court. 

A warrant for Lepore and Sweger has been issued for their arrests in the Sewickley cases. 

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