HOPE – Rachael Mattice, who authorities say stole prescription pills from a client while working as a home health aide June 14, pleaded not guilty to petit larceny Tuesday in Hope town court.

The 24-year-old from Johnstown, who in a separate case also is accused of making up a phony story about being abducted and held against her will for two weeks, was charged with the misdemeanor Aug. 5. She pleaded not guilty to that charge as well.

Mattice claimed a man held her from June 23 until July 6. She claims the man kept her in a shed and assaulted her. She claims the man blindfolded her and dropped her off approximately two blocks from her parents’ Burton Street residence in Johnstown.

Mattice told police she was knocked out while getting ready for work near the camper where she was staying in Wells on June 23. She said she woke up naked in a locked shed. She says she was repeatedly raped by a white male in his late 50s to early 60s who had a long beard.

Police said a break in the case came when a witness came forward and identified Mattice as a woman he drove to a cabin at Canada Lake. Other witnesses placed her at a camp that belonged to a relative’s boyfriend.

During Mattice’s two-week disappearance, authorities and volunteers conducted a search. Dogs and rescuers searched wooded areas in Wells. Family, friends and others conducted a vigil in Wells. People put up posters throughout the area and raised awareness about Mattice’s disappearance with posts on social media sites. Police said the cost of the investigation was in the six figures.

Would-be helpers charged

Meanwhile, Two Johnstown men were arrested after allegedly trying to fill a residence with smoke to get authorities to search the building for Mattice while people were looking for her in June.

State police said James Gasiewski, 30, and Jacob Eggleston, 31, both knew Mattice. Gasiewski was charged with reckless endangerment of property and fourth-degree criminal mischief. Eggleston was charged with sixth-degree conspiracy. State police Investigator Wayne Matice said Eggelston voluntarily came to the Fonda barracks Aug. 14 and was arrested. Gasiewski was arrested Aug. 9.

Police say the men read a false report on Facebook that Mattice was being held in a private residence in the town. They took it upon themselves to do something, the investigator said.

Police said Eggleston drove Gasiewski to the residence June 29 and Gasiewski threw a smoke-producing device through a window into the house. Police said Gasiewski called 911 and reported the house was on fire in hopes of getting the fire department and police to respond to the residence.

Police said the fire department extinguished the smoke device, and there was no evidence of the missing woman inside.

Police said there is no information suggesting Rachael Mattice had any involvement or knowledge of the incident. Investigator Matice said police had set up a tip hot line and likely would have investigated the residence if the information was reported.

Police said the men were ticketed and are expected in Town Court at a later date.