6 days Ago By Jon Andreassi
Bentleyville police charged an Allegheny County man Friday in connection with the theft of more than $500,000 from a local forklift dealer. William F. Rohan is accused in court documents of stealing parts from his employer, TruPar America in Bentleyville, and selling them in a scheme dating back to 2017.
Rohan, 59, of Munhall, faces felony charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, theft by deception and unlawful use of a computer. Tom McDonnell and Michael Bucci, TruPar’s president and vice president of operations respectively, reported Rohan’s alleged activities to police on Jan. 29.
According to the criminal complaint, Rohan would take automotive parts, use his employee computer to delete those items from the company’s inventory and then sell the parts while pocketing the money. Charging documents also accuse him of ordering parts and then using the credentials of other employees to make it appear as though the order had been returned or canceled. Company officials told police Rohan’s activity began in 2017 but became more frequent in 2020.
In some cases, Rohan allegedly misrepresented himself to buyers as the vice president of an “automotive distribution company,” according to the complaint. Investigators found evidence he sold parts to a used auto dealership, a towing company and multiple landscaping companies. Police said he also sold parts to relatives and acquaintances.
According to charging documents, some buyers refused to speak with investigators or denied knowing Rohan. Court records also accuse Rohan of stealing from TruPar in other ways, such as making personal purchases with a company credit card. Those purchases included fuel, gift cards, food and cigarettes.
Investigators interviewed Rohan on Feb. 19, and he allegedly admitted to selling the parts and not reimbursing TruPar, the complaint states. Rohan stole more than $469,578 in parts, and more than $50,000 using a company credit card, according to the complaint.
Rohan also faces a misdemeanor charge of tampering with/fabricating evidence. He was arraigned Friday afternoon before District Judge John Bruner, who sent him to the Washington County jail on $150,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.
m. May 1..
