Police: Man held Jeannette woman’s phone, keys for 42 hours after break-in
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A Swissvale man is accused of breaking into a Jeannette home and holding a woman’s keys and cell phone for nearly two days last week, according to police.
Steve Gilbert Pierce, 32, is charged with burglary, unlawful restraint, stalking, simple assault and harassment.
Jeannette police were called to the North Fifth Street home at 10 p.m. Friday. A woman there reported Pierce broke into her home four times Wednesday night, at one point calling her a “white supremacist” and “cop caller,” according to court papers. When she called 911, he ran away, police said.
During one of the encounters, neighbors reported seeing the woman run outside and Pierce push her down onto decorative rocks and punch her before fleeing, police said. At 4 a.m. Thursday, the woman awoke to the smell of smoke and found Pierce in her bedroom.
He is accused of taking her car keys and cell phone for the next 42 hours until returning the phone at 10 p.m. Friday, police said. She messaged a friend to call police and went outside and pretended to order a pizza.
Police said Pierce previously was ordered to not have contact with the woman. He was arrested at the scene and has been held in the Westmoreland County Prison since Saturday in lieu of $15,000 bond. A July 9 preliminary hearing is set. Pierce did not have an attorney listed in online court papers.