CLEARFIELD – The man accused of breaking into the American Legion Post 6 in Clearfield waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Russell G. Flick is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.
According to the affidavit of probable cause the Clearfield Borough Police Department was called to investigate a burglary at Post 6 on Nov. 16. Police were met by a cleaning person at the Legion who said he had arrived just prior to police being called. The cleaning person said he entered the building through the front doors and noted that the doors were secure. The cleaning man told police that he went to the cleaning closet and attempted to enter the bar when he became aware that the building had been burglarized. He then left the building and called police.
Officers entered the building and found that the bar, offices and cooler room had been forcibly entered. Police found a safe that had been entered with a torch. The person responsible then removed about $7,315 in cash. The trust officer and finance officer for Post 6 were contacted and arrived.
The CBPD then contacted the state police who arrived at roughly 9 a.m. Pictures were taken of the outside of the building. Police then located what was believed to be the entry point outside. A second floor door had been accessed. Police noted that it appeared someone was able to force the door open enough with a pry bar to get access to an inner chain. Police also recovered a link of that chain that had been cut.
Police noted that filing cabinets and drawers had been rummaged through on the second floor. The person then cut another lock on a second floor door. Police also discovered an attic door that had been disturbed. According to the affidavit the banquet room was set up for a wedding later that day and that none of the decorations or gifts had been disturbed. Police also noticed that a rifle that was used for Legion events was also not disturbed.
Police found that the suspect had eventually entered the bar area and opened two lottery machines that contained rip tickets. The machines were pried open and the money was removed from both machines. Police also discovered a Master Lock securing the basement door had been cut.
Police then went to the cooler room where the safe was located and photographed shoe prints.
Damage to the Post 6 was estimated at around $11,507.
The CBPD later received a call from state police in York. The trooper was serving a search warrant on Flick, who was found to have money bags from Post 6. Flick was not at the residence at that time.
On Jan. 13 Flick was apprehended and being held in Perry County Jail. He was interviewed by state police and reportedly admitted to burglarizing Post 6. He told police that he entered the building using steps to the fire escape. He stated that he pried the door and cut a chain securing the door. He told the trooper that he used gloves to hide his fingerprints. According to police the Legion’s bank bags were recovered from Flick’s residence. Also covered was a torch that police believed Flick used to enter the safe within the Legion.