Pittsburgh Episcopal Cathedral Dean Charged in Walmart Baseball Card Theft
A Pittsburgh cathedral dean hid 27 packs of baseball cards under his clothing at a Walmart. Surveillance caught him stealing on four consecutive days before his arrest.
The Very Rev. Aidan Smith, 42, dean and head priest of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh, was arrested Feb. 27 after police say he walked out of a Walmart in Economy Borough with 27 packs of baseball cards concealed under his clothing and stuffed inside a cardboard box. He now faces one count of receiving stolen property and one count of retail theft, according to court records.
Walmart security triggered the arrest by calling Borough police to report that Smith had returned to the store after allegedly stealing from it on each of the four previous days. Surveillance footage, according to police, captured Smith taking cards on Feb. 23 valued at $244, again on Feb. 24 for $261, on Feb. 25 for $121, and on Feb. 26 for $245. Police told the Associated Press the total value of the stolen cards was approximately $1,099, though figures in various reports differ slightly between $1,099.00 and $1,099.99; official court and Walmart documentation would resolve the discrepancy. Smith was released on a $50,000 bond and did not appear in Pennsylvania state inmate records as of March 12.
Smith had already been on administrative leave from Trinity Episcopal Cathedral since late January, though the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has not explained why. The Right Rev. Ketlen Solak, bishop of the diocese, sent a message to cathedral members after the arrest was reported, saying diocesan officials would investigate and follow church canons governing clergy misconduct.
"I have spoken with Aidan and assured him of our prayers for him in this difficult time," Solak wrote. "Please pray for Aidan, for Melanie and their children, for the entire cathedral congregation as we grieve this news, and for everyone involved in this hard situation."
Smith's defense attorney declined to comment. Borough police, the Beaver County District Attorney's Office, and Smith's counsel had not responded to media inquiries as of March 12. No Walmart corporate spokesperson has issued a public statement; all references to valuation and security actions come from police and court records.
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