Greensburg police accuse Youngwood man of failing to return ailing woman's car

A man who offered to repair a disabled Greensburg woman’s car in early 2021 as she recuperated from serious medical issues is accused of failing to return it more than a year later, according to police.

Robert A. Foringer, 50, of Youngwood is charged with receiving stolen property, theft by deception and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

The vehicle’s owner told police that in February 2020, her dark blue 2006 Chevrolet Malibu broke down and she was forced to leave it parked in a lot near a tanning salon where she worked on East Pittsburgh Street.

She subsequently developed serious medical issues requiring several surgeries and a lengthy recuperation, she told police. During that period, she was told that vehicle had to be removed from the parking lot.

The woman said acquaintances referred her to Foringer, “who agreed to come and repair it so the owner would have her vehicle when she got out of the hospital,” according to court documents.

Witnesses told Officer Hank Fontana that Foringer was able to drive the car after installing a new battery, but took it to replace the tires and update the inspection and emission requirements.

“Since February 2021, Foringer has been in possession of the vehicle and has periodically offered several explanations as to why he is still in possession of it, including saying (existing) vehicle failures that are still in need of repairs,” Fontana wrote in court papers.

Meanwhile, Fontana said the woman received received multiple Pennsylvania Turnpike charges that Foringer has accrued while driving her car. He also reported in court documents that Foringer has received multiple traffic violations from various police departments while using the car.

City police on Tuesday acquired an arrest warrant for Foringer from Greensburg District Judge Chris Flanigan.

According to online dockets, Foringer pleaded guilty to a driving under the influence charge filed by state police after a traffic stop in Unity in 2014.