Operators of two convenience store on Youngstown's West Side are accused of selling thousands of dollars worth of beer allegedly stolen by an employee of a local beverage distributor.

The Mahoning County Grand Jury has handed up indictments charging three people and two businesses.

Prosecutors say that 37-year-old Ronald Pezzuolo, while employed by R.L. Lipton Distributors, stole beer between August and October of last year, which was in turn sold at the Schenley Carry Out and Lucky Food Drive Thru on Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown.

Assistant Prosecutor Mike Yacovone estimates the value of the stolen beer to be approximately $20,000.

Pezzuolo is charged with grand theft, while Ketankumar and Piyushkumar Patel are charged with receiving stolen property for allegedly accepting the stolen beer at the convenience stores.

All three will be arraigned on the charges later.