Police pounce on pair

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On June 8, law enforcement officials announced the capture of Thomas Brennan (left) and Crystal Leibhart (right) for their alleged alliance in the demise of 41-year-old Scott Bernheisel, whose body turned up inside a suitcase near Philadelphia International Airport May 28. Authorities contend that the duo beat and robbed Bernheisel inside a home on the 200 block of Wilder Street May 22 and added that the two stayed at that address periodically. They posit that Brennan, of Folsom, stuffed Bernheisel’s body in a sleeping bag, which he then placed in a suitcase.

Police charged the 25-year-old with murder, robbery, criminal conspiracy and abuse of corpse and his 27-year-old alleged accomplice, of Philadelphia, with robbery, hindering apprehension and obstructing justice. Court records had no account of Brennan but listed that Leibhart had not posted her $500,000 bail as of press time and awaits a June 23 preliminary hearing.

Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.

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