Irwin man accused of bilking Lowe's in $3,200 paint return scam

A 58-year-old Irwin man was arrested by state police Thursday in connection with a month-long paint return scheme that bilked an area hardware store out of more than $3,200.

Terry S. Good was charged by troopers with seven counts of receiving stolen property and one count of theft by deception in connection with the scam from October through November at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Hempfield Square Plaza.

Trooper Ryan Ilich alleges in court documents that Good would go to the store, load numerous gallons of paint on a cart and wheel it to the customer service desk.

“Good would deceive the attendant by creating the impression that he had already purchased the paint. He would then exchange the paint for Lowe’s gift cards that were loaded with funds from the returns,” Ilich said in court documents.

Ilich alleges that Good committed the scam seven times between Oct. 11 through Nov. 1 for amounts ranging from $233 to $625 on each occasion.

A store loss prevention officer uncovered the scheme while observing store surveillance videos, Ilich said. Good usually had a female companion with him who has not been identified, police said.

Ilich said that Good used his own personal identification cards when he completed paperwork on the fraudulent returns.

Good was released on $50,000 unsecured bond by District Judge Mark Mansour. His preliminary hearing date is set for Jan. 15.

He has also lived in Jeannette and Unity, and has a separate theft by deception hearing scheduled for an alleged theft at the Walmart store in Hempfield on Sept. 29, according to court dockets.

Good could not be reached for comment. He did not have an attorney listed in court documents.