CLEARFIELD – Two men were scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for their preliminary hearings in regard to a burglary/robbery case.
James Hoopsick faces charges of criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, robbery and related charges.
Jeremiah Krause faces conspiracy charges and receiving stolen property.
Both men had their cases continued.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, police investigated a robbery that occurred on Feb. 24 in Beccaria Township and at the Coalport 5&10.
State police began by investigating the incident that occurred in Beccaria Township. A 91-year-old woman reported to police that two males forcibly entered her home, then her sleeping area at 3:50 a.m. She told police that when she awoke the males each had handguns and that both were standing in front of her. One asked her where her money was and she told them she didn’t have any money. The other asked her where her safe was, and she again replied that she didn’t have one. One male grabbed her medication and went to the upstairs portion of her home.
While police were investigating the 5&10 burglary, they came across a cell phone. A search warrant was executed on the phone and police learned that it belonged to a juvenile. Further examination revealed text messages discussing one of the burglaries. The text messages were between the juvenile and Krause.
On March 1 police interviewed Krause at the barracks. He admitted he drove Hoopsick and the juvenile to both crime scenes. He turned over a Daisy BB gun to state police that was stolen from the 5&10. He further related that Hoopsick told him to keep it for going with him. He said Hoopsick was also talking about breaking into a floral shop in Houtzdale when he dropped him off at his apartment in Houtzdale.
Krause described the robbery in Beccaria Township to the state police. He said the he drove Hoopsick and the juvenile to a residence near the target site and parked. He said Hoopsick and the juvenile exited the vehicle and cut the woman’s cable wire then forcibly entered her home. They entered by busting out the glass window to the rear door. He said they also tried to enter by breaking through the basement door. Krause said that once they got inside Hoopsick and the juvenile approached the woman, who was sleeping. He said they asked for money and the location of her safe then rummaged through her house. He said the two returned with cigarettes and discussed how they had held her up and pointed guns at her.
Krause told police that following that burglary they went to the Coalport 5&10. He said that he parked on Main Street and that Hoopsick and the juvenile forcibly entered the rear door of the building using a hammer and pry bar. He said that once inside, they removed BB guns, pellets for the guns, a flashlight, scope and other items, for a total value of $616.23
While Hoopsick was initially charged in the Beccaria Township burglary, he was arraigned on Wednesday for the 5&10 incident. Hoopsick represented himself at court. Due to that, the commonwealth asked for a two-week continuance. Hoopsick objected, stating that it’s not timely. He said he was unable to get out to form a proper defense and said that Clearfield County Jail’s law library is insufficient. He asked that if the continuance was granted that he be placed on ROR bail and said he would be willing to wear an ankle bracelet.
Magisterial District Judge James Hawkins approved the commonwealths request and denied Hoopsick his request. Hawkins noted that it was not up to him whether Hoopsick could get an ankle bracelet.