Crime & Safety

Warrant Issued for Cop Block Activist

Anthony Bruno, 25, of Ambridge, failed to appear for court last week.

A bench warrant has been issued for a  activist facing charges as a result of a confrontation with staff at the Leetsdale District Court office.

Anthony Bruno, 25, of Ambridge, who is representing himself, failed to show for a pre-trial conference scheduled for Friday at Allegheny Common Pleas Court, according to court records.

At a preliminary hearing in October at Coraopolis District Court, Bruno said he believed charges  filed against him were without merit, and he refused to accept a plea .

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According to a criminal complaint, Bruno was "verbally combative" with court staff Aug. 4 at the Leetsdale when he learned he had to make a $25 monthly  for a traffic citation. Police said Bruno began videotaping and harassing staff. 

At Bruno's preliminary hearing, Assistant District  William Butulla said employees repeatedly asked Bruno to leave, and said at least one clerk feared for her life during the encounter. 

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Bruno is charged with defiant trespass and disorderly conduct. 

 

Theft warrant issued

A bench warrant has been issued for a Pittsburgh man accused of posing as a certified contractor and stealing $900 from a Leetsdale couple.

Police said Matthew Yost, 25, showed the residents a valid contractor card and gave them a $1,200 estimate on May 10 to fix a wooden rail and steps at their home. Yost requested $900 upfront for materials, which the residents paid him, police said. They were told Yost would start immediately, but police said he came up with a problem at another job and didn’t return for weeks. Police said when he did return, he wanted more money to finish the job. The residents denied the request and Yost agreed to keep working, but left again to finish another job.

Police said the residents had tried to contact Yost several times, but were unsuccessful. Police spoke to Yost, who assured the work would be done, but he never returned to the job, police said.

The residents made arrangements for a different contractor, which cost $2,460 to repair and reconstruct the work Yost had performed in a subpar manner, police said. A warrant was issued Dec. 20.


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