Two charged with trying to steal from Connellsville Area Community Ministries

Two women are alleged to have deceived a Connellsville nonprofit into giving them $700 in financial assistance.

Connellsville police said Michelle Piper of Cardale, 44, told workers at Connellsville Area Community Ministries that she needed money to rent a home in White. Piper was able to provide the church lease agreement for the property which indicated that Dawn Musick,49, of Butler was the owner and landlord.

According to police, the church issued two checks totaling $700 to Piper on Oct. 20. Three days later, police said, someone at CACM discovered Musick was not the landlord and Piper was not moving into a home in White.

The actual property owners confirmed he was not renting out his home, and said he did not know Piper or Musick, according to court paperwork.

Both women were charged with felony conspiracy to commit forgery and misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit theft by deception, theft and tampering with records. They face a preliminary hearing on Dec. 5 before District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr.