Plum police officer ordered to stand trial

Testimony by Plum Mayor John Schmeck did not match telephone records that show when a borough police officer allegedly made a harassing telephone call to the mayor.

But a Monroeville district justice on Tuesday ordered Officer Ryan E. Schneiderlochner, 28, of Pine Court, Plum, to stand trial for harassment by communication stemming from the Sept. 11 incident.

During a 90-minute, emotionally charged preliminary hearing that was attended by several Plum officials and police officers, Schmeck testified that he began to receive harassing telephone calls July 21, and that calls continued through September.

'The calls threatened my wife and children, and we found nails in our driveway,' Schmeck told District Justice Walter Luniewski.

Schmeck said he would tell the caller, 'This is getting ridiculous, I am scared.'

Schmeck testified that he received a harassing call at 10:50 p.m. Sept. 11. The call was traced to the BP gas station along Monroeville Boulevard, but telephone records showed that the call closest to that time was made from the gas station at 10:20 p.m.

The mayor said after the first telephone call he contacted the state police and was advised to hire a private detective to find out who was making the calls. He said he hired the Passant and Passant private investigation firm in Oakmont.

Schmeck said at 10:50 p.m. Sept. 11, he was in his office at his home when the telephone rang.

'My wife yelled down 'pay phone,'' Schmeck said. 'I hit speed dial to the private eye, and he said, 'We're filming him answer the phone.''

'I hung up and hit star 57,' Schmeck said. 'It was a recognizable voice.'

Someone who receives a harassing phone call can alert the telephone company by dialing the star, 5, and 7 keys.

Schmeck testified the caller said, 'Hey, you (expletive, expletive), we saw you on TV. You're going to get it.'

Schmeck said he recognized Schneiderlochner's voice.

Private investigator Frank Passant testified he was hired by Schmeck after the mayor began receiving harassing telephone calls.

Passant testified he had Schneiderlochner under surveillance the night of Sept. 11.

'He was in the Plum Borough building and departed in civilian attire at 10:37 p.m.,' Passant said.

Schneiderlochner stopped at a banking machine at the National City Bank along Stroschein Road, according to Passant. The officer proceeded to the BP gas station along Monroeville Boulevard, Passant said.

'He drove up to the pay phone, reached his arm out and dialed the phone,' Passant said.

The private investigator said he could not see Schneiderlochner talking on the telephone. Passant said Schneiderlochner left the gas station about 20 to 30 seconds later.

'It's a very sad day for Plum Borough,' Schmeck said after the hearing. 'This individual has disgraced the men and women who wear the uniform.'

William Cercone, Schneiderlochner's attorney, said he expected Luniewski to dismiss the charge.

'From what I understand he (Schmeck) has created and caused most of the problems in Plum Borough,' Cercone said.

Schmeck has been at odds with Plum police often, including accusing three officers of cheating on their entry-level police officer tests. Borough council cleared the three officers of any wrongdoing.

Contacted after the hearing, Plum police Chief Terry Focareta said, 'It would not be reasonable or fair to comment until the case is adjudicated.'

Schneiderlochner has been back on patrol since January. He was suspended by Schmeck on Dec. 15.

Plum Council in January tabled action on the suspension.

Council President Al Flickinger said at the January meeting he would vote to fire Schneiderlochner if the officer was found guilty by the district justice.

Contacted yesterday, Flickinger said he will reserve judgment until the case is decided in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.

'If he is found guilty Downtown, I will vote to fire him,' Flickinger said. 'Whatever we do he is going to appeal it and be back on the job.'

Schneiderlochner also was removed as one of the Plum School District's Drug Abuse Resistance Education officers.

School Superintendent George Cooke said he received calls from parents of elementary students who were concerned about the officer's presence in the schools.

Karen Zapf can be reached at kzapf@tribweb.com or (412) 380-8522.