CLEARFIELD – Four people accused of breaking into the Osceola Hotel were scheduled to appear at Centralized Court on Wednesday.
Sabrina Gardner of Houtzdale, Amanda Baker of Coalport and Christopher McBride of Flinton are charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, disorderly conduct and underage drinking. Cody Caracciolo of Dysart is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, disorderly conduct and minor’s consumption.
Baker, McBride and Caracciolo waived their rights to preliminary hearings; Gardner had her case continued until June 10.
According to court records on May 16 and May 17 a burglary occurred at the Osceola Hotel in the early morning hours. On May 26 police followed up with the case. The officer spoke with the owners of the establishment. Both said that when they left their business in the early morning hours of May 17 they saw Gardner and Baker outside. Gardner was reportedly walking along the side of the hotel and yelling a question at Baker. Baker was asked what she was doing and said to one of the owners that she was looking for her mother then going to her boyfriend’s.
On May 21 one of the owners noticed that all of the liquor (53 bottles) was missing from the storage area. One of the owners contacted a person and told them they would not be able to pick her up from work.
Later that woman contacted one of the owners and said that there were four guys and one girl located behind the hotel the night the liquor went missing. The woman said that Baker told her that there was a dark blue, older model four-door Chrysler with a donut spare on the back. Baker also reportedly told her that the people in the vehicle gave her a silver and black Jagermeister collectable kit that included a shirt, a bottle of Jagermeister. It was also stated that Gardner was given four half-gallon bottles of Captain Morgan.
Police got the names of the men believed to have been involved. Initially police stated that it was believed that the liquor was taken while a band was playing the night of the theft.
On May 25 officers spoke with one of the suspects. The man stated that he was only at the hotel long enough the evening of the incident to find out that there was a $4 cover charge. He told police that he left because he did not want to pay the cover.
Later on May 25 police contacted Gardner. She was asked if she knew whey she was there. Gardner reportedly told police that it must have something to do with the Osceola Hotel. Officers told her that she was a suspect in the case.
Gardner gave police a written statement. According to that statement on May 17 Gardner and Baker had left a party in Coalport and went to the Osceola Hotel. She said that they had a conversation with the owners outside the hotel. Gardner said they then went around back, and a little while later Baker went back around front. She said a little while later Baker came back with a large duffel bag. Gardner said that she was unaware of what was in the duffel bag until they got back to Coalport. Gardner stated that there, she learned the bag was full of liquor. She also told police that Baker handed out most of the liquor to people at the party.
Later still on May 25 police talked to Baker. She reportedly told police that she already knew why she was at the station. Police reported that she admitted to committing the crime.
According to Baker’s statement, sometime on M15 she and Gardner used a Weis card to shim open the door at the Osceola Hotel. She said they returned on the 17 to steal the rest of the liquor. Baker reportedly told police that the two of them hid the liquor near a trash bin behind the establishment and had a friend pick them up a half-mile away. She said they later returned to place the liquor in the trunk of Gardner’s vehicle.
On May 27 Gardner gave another statement to police, this time stating that Caracciola and a guy named Chris took part as well.
Baker also gave another statement to police, also naming Caracciola and McCracken.
