Slippery Rock University police have filed charges against a university employee who allegedly stole face masks intended to be sold online.
University police were alerted to a Facebook post by a senior SRU staff member on Dec. 28. The staff member alleged Anthony Stoner, of New Castle, took 25 SRU-branded face masks valued at $61.75.
Stoner, who is employed at the university as a storekeeper, told police the next day he had taken the masks without authorization from central receiving sometime between Oct. 16 and Nov. 13, according to the criminal complaint.
Along with providing a written statement, the criminal complaint states Stoner returned 22 of the masks. Three masks were not returned due to being used and contaminated.
Police charged Stoner on Jan. 8 with one count of theft by unlawful taking and one count of receiving stolen property. Both charges are misdemeanors.
According to SRU Interim Chief Communication and Public Affairs Officer Robert King, the university still employs Stoner but is conducting a personnel investigation.
Court documents do not list an attorney for Stoner.
Stoner is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Slippery Rock on Feb. 17 at 2:15 p.m.
