Westmoreland Co. Man Charged With Stealing $200K Of Natural Gas

OKLAHOMA BOROUGH (KDKA) - A man from Oklahoma Borough allegedly stole more than $200,000 worth of natural gas over four-years.

According to investigators for Peoples Natural Gas, the first signs of tampering with their line came in 2012. Workers were checking out an old gas line to a maintenance shed at Vandergrift Golf Course. The line was supposed to be dead but it was not.

The unsuspecting crew discovered gas streaming through the line, headed to an illegal tap. That tap fed an above ground station allegedly operated by 57-year-old Jeff Zinchini's Winfall Energy.

When confronted, Zinchini told Peoples investigators his men mistakenly did it, but he shut off the illegal tap. Peoples and police investigators, however, say the valve was never shut off and the whole thing could have resulted in a catastrophic explosion.

Zinchini's company allegedly syphoned more than $200,000 of gas before the line was finally capped.

After his arraignment, Zinchini didn't have any comment.

But his lawyer, Al Lindsay, said, "I understand what the reports are. There's preliminary hearing set for the 26th. And we hope that the truth will come out at that time."

KDKA's Ross Guidotti: "What is the truth?"

Lindsay: "Wait and see."

Zinchini is charged with theft, deceptive business practices, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and risking a catastrophe. He's free on $50,000 unsecured bond. He faces a preliminary hearing on May 26.

Stay With KDKA.com For More Details

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter