Package thief who stole from Pittsburgh apartments gets 15 months in prison

A Duquesne man will spend 15 months behind bars for stealing packages from more than 40 residents of Pittsburgh apartment buildings, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Ron Matthew Sharp, 42, pleaded guilty in October to mail theft after stealing dozens of packages and mail addressed to residents of apartment buildings in Pittsburgh’s Oakland and Shadyside neighborhoods, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said.

Sharp also was convicted of conspiracy for acting with a partner and instructing others to resell the stolen goods.

The prison sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon will be followed by three years of parole.

Brady accused Sharp and co-conspirator Christopher Carr of stealing packages and mail left at authorized mail depositories within the apartment complexes and “filling up trash bags, duffel bags and backpacks with their loot,” according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The pair then re-sold or used the stolen items, including gift cards they redeemed at places such as Giant Eagle and GetGo stores, prosecutors said.

Carr is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy C. Wiegand prosecuted the case with help from investigators at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security.