About the only piece of evidence the prosecution didn’t have in the murder case against 20-year-old Patrick Fluker was an eyewitness testifying that he was seen shooting 29-year-old Tiffany Mendez in the head.A Leesburg man pleaded guilty this week in Allen Superior Court to receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor, in the theft of more than $130,000 in inventory and tools from a local company.
Patrick F. Salwolke, 61, was originally charged with conspiracy to commit theft as well as receiving stolen property, both felonies. Also arrested and charged was Patrick Johnson, 51, of Grabill. He is charged with theft and fraud, according to court documents.
In 2006, the two men started a business called SJS Refractory Co. They both worked for Empire Refractory Sales. Shortly after they left Empire Refractory, a number of items, such as toolboxes and refractory equipment worth more than $130,000, were reported missing.
In October 2009, an Allen Superior Court civil division judge found the two men had converted equipment from Empire for their own use.
Johnson’s case is pending. Salwolke will be sentenced to a year of probation and must pay restitution. The felony charges will be dismissed.
