Former Employee with Key Charged with Stealing Money from OIP in Pottsville

A man has been charged with stealing money from the Original Italian Pizza in Pottsville.

According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojiechowsky, on March 6 2020 at approx. 6:30pm, the Pottsville Bureau of Police were contacted by the owner of OIP Restaurant, located at Route 61 and Mauch Chunk Street, in reference to a theft from his business.

The Detective Division was assigned this case and immediately began an investigation into the incident which included video surveillance footage from the business showing a male with distinctive clothing entering the business during the early morning hours on 03/06/20 with a key in order to steal cash from inside the store. 

Through investigation the male was determined to be Andrew Patrick Chillemi, 38, of Pottsville, who had been terminated from employment with the business but was still in possession of the key for the restaurant. 

The Detective Division was able to secure two separate search warrants which resulted in the Pottsville Bureau of Police seizing Chillemi’s distinct clothing matching that viewed in the surveillance footage and also the key he had hidden within his residence which belonged to the OIP Restaurant. 

Det Joseph Welsh completed a criminal complaint charging Chillemi with Burglary, Theft by Unlawful taking, Receiving Stolen Property and Possessing Instruments of Crime and Chillemi – who was already incarcerated in the Schuylkill County Prison for separate offenses- was arraigned and recommitted to Schuylkill County Prison after being unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail in this case.