Two Arrested in Toy Thefts Will Stand Trial

Christopher Frances Dimaio, 39, of Little Falls, NY, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday and remained in Allegheny County Jail on a $15,000 straight bond after appearing before Magisterial District Judge Richard Opiela in West View.

Dimaio, with the help of his fiance Theresa Lynn Warner, 40 and Warner's 17-year-old son, is accused of stealing a large collection of small toys from about 90 Kmarts, Walmarts and Toys "R" Us stores on a 10-day trip across New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

He was arrested by  Nov. 16 along with Warner and her son after being detained at the  for stealing about $500 worth of items, including six boxes of baseball cards. 

Police later found the white Enterprise rental van the trio had been using to travel in

Police estimated the total value of the retail thefts at between $20,000 and $50,000. 

Dimaio told police he estimated the total value of the goods at $22,000, according to Al Elway, one of the two arresting Ross Police officers. 

During Wednesday's brief appearance before the judge, Dimaio politely asked for leniency in the bond amount, hoping, he said, to return to New York. 

"I have a very sick mother," he said.

Judge Opiela declined to reduce the amount — but he also declined to increase it, despite a request by the district attorney's office. 

"I see nothing in his record that indicates that he has failed to appear before or has any other pending cases," he said. 

Dimaio is charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy. On Wednesday, prosecutors added another felony charge to the list, organized retail theft. 

Warner, who faces the same charges, has also waived her right to a preliminary hearing and will stand trial.