Former security guard to repay $19,000 for stolen radios
Cambria County PA Aug 10 2018 A former security guard at Hiram G. Andrews Center in Upper Yoder Township will appear in Cambria County court, accused of stealing $19,000 worth of portable radios and other devices from the education facility, authorities said.
Nicholas P. Varner, 38, of the 1000 block of Willow Beach Road, Portage, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday before District Judge Susan Gindlesperger of Stonycreek Township.
Police allege that Varner stole 13 Motorola digital radios – along with chargers, batteries, microphones and other accessories – from a storage room between January and May.
Some of the stolen items later turned up on eBay. Police said they obtained a search warrant for the eBay account and tracked the seller to a business in Ebensburg. Varner allegedly sold the items to the business, which later resold some of the items on eBay.
He was released on unsecured bond. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Aurandt said Varner will be monitored by county Adult Probation, receive drug treatment and must pay $19,000 in restitution.
“Everybody agrees this is a good guy who was in a bad spot and he needs treatment,” Varner’s attorney Joseph Sutton of Ebensburg said.
Varner was employed at the facility for about five years, he said.
