Repeat shoplifter in prison after bust
CRANBERRY TWP — A 15-time convicted shoplifter was arrested again for the same crime after allegedly taking merchandise from a home improvement store on consecutive days last week.
Joseph F. Huddy Jr. 50, of New Brighton, Beaver County is charged with two felony counts of retail theft. He is being held in the Butler County Prison on $5,000 bail and on a detainer for a probation violation in Beaver County.
Cranberry Township police said Huddy was caught about 1:45 p.m. Saturday shoplifting a $600 Dewalt miter saw at Lowe’s store in the Cranberry Commons shopping plaza on Route 228.
The previous day, police said, the store’s surveillance system captured him on video making off with a $529 DeWalt cordless power tool combo kit at about 12:30 p.m. Friday.
While normally a summary or misdemeanor offense, retail theft is upgraded to a third-degree felony regardless of the stolen property’s value when a defendant has at least two prior convictions for the same crime.
According to court records, Huddy has 13 shoplifting convictions in Beaver County and two others in Allegheny County, dating back to 2010.
His preliminary hearing in the latest case is set for Oct. 6 at the office of District Judge David Kovach in Cranberry Township.
