Jeannette woman accused of stealing food, watch from neighbors

A Jeannette woman is accused of filling up her freezer and cupboard with food she took from other residents at Jeannette Manor, according to court papers.

Mary Jane Burch, 49, was charged Tuesday with burglary, criminal trespass, retaliation, theft and related offenses.

Police said they were called Monday to the South Fourth Street apartment building after a resident found a watch and 10 frozen meals were missing. A second resident, who is partially paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, told police that Burch came into his apartment on Friday, pushed him and left with canned and boxed food from his cabinets, according to court papers.

The watch and food were valued at $620, police said.

Police found a cabinet in Burch’s apartment full of food and the frozen meals described by the resident in her freezer. She handed over the watch, police said. Burch told investigators that both men gave her the items, according to court papers.

As officers returned to the station to type up an arrest warrant, Burch allegedly threatened several residents, including the man who reported food missing from his cabinets. Police said they returned and took Burch into custody.

Burch is free on $10,000 unsecured bond. She could not be reached. She did not have an attorney listed in online court records.