By Marcia Moore
SUNBURY -- A Northumberland County prosecutor has withdrawn theft charges filed in February against a former county prison maintenance employee, but they will be refiled, according to District Attorney Anthony Rosini.
During a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Robert B. Bolton, the commonwealth withdrew charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief against Shane D. Hoffman, 36, of 339 Center Road, Sunbury.
Rosini said Thursday they want to gather more information before refiling the case.
Hoffman was accused by city police of stealing $320 worth of scrap metal from the North Second Street prison last year and breaking into the locker of co-worker Don Keeley.
Although Hoffman and Keeley had permission from Warden Ralph "Rick" Reish to remove scrap metal and sell it, the profits were supposed to be turned over to John Conrad, the former deputy warden who was fired for undisclosed reasons a few weeks ago.
Hoffman is Conrad's son-in-law.
According to the criminal complaint, Hoffman failed to turn over to prison officials $320 he received for the scrap metal. Reish said he had received only $37 since Aug. 7.
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