Pittsburgh Tribune Review
BYLINE: Bobby Kerlik

Penn Hills, PA

A retired Penn Hills police lieutenant was sentenced to five years of probation this morning for stealing thousands of dollars worth of heroin and cocaine from the department's evidence lockers.

William S. Markel, 55, of Monroeville pleaded guilty to theft and drug possession charges. Detectives from the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office arrested Markel in March 2008. He worked for 29 years as a police officer in Penn Hills. His attorney, James Wymard, said he was using the drugs to cope with back problems, but has since enrolled in multiple drug rehabilitation programs.

Common Pleas Judge John A. Zottola imposed the sentence, which was a plea deal with prosecutors.

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