Employee arrested in fire that destroyed adult bookstore
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A fire allegedly set by an employee destroyed the adult bookstore in Unity, Westmoreland County.
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A Westmoreland County man is awaiting arraignment on charges that he stole money from an adult bookstore where he worked early today and set the place on fire in an attempt to cover it up.
Joseph Pahel, of Youngstown, faces counts of theft, arson, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment stemming from the blaze at Bargain Sales on Route 30 in Unity.
Firefighters were called to the store just before 12:30 a.m. A door alarm sounded just before a smoke alarm.
Trooper Steve Limani of the Greensburg barracks wouldn't say how Mr. Pahel started the blaze, but said he took the money, about $300, just before the fire started. The trooper wouldn't say what led police to Mr. Pahel, who will will be arraigned by video later today before District Judge Michael Mahady.
Nobody was hurt in the fire, but several firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion. The business is near the St. Vincent College campus, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh
First Published June 9, 2011 9:07 am
