DUBOIS – Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr., announced today that charges have been filed against a Stump Creek couple.
Shaw identified the defendants as Jeffrey Allen Knapp, 30, and Katherine Jean Knapp, 30, of Cramer Road, Stump Creek.
On Sept. 29, Sgt. Kris Kruzelak of the Sandy Township Police Department filed criminal complaints, charging the couple with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and possession of controlled substance.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Kruzelak states that at approximately 7:15 a.m. on Sept. 28, Kruzelak and Sgt. Rodney Fairman also of the Sandy Township Police Department were dispatched to the Animal Hospital of DuBois, which is located along Shaffer Road in Sandy Township.
Employees of the Animal Hospital came to work and reportedly discovered the building had been burglarized, and items, including controlled substances, syringes, a safe and U.S. currency, had been removed. Surveillance cameras reportedly captured two individuals in the building shortly after midnight on Sept. 28.
After observing the surveillance video, Kruzelak and Fairman responded to the Knapp’s residence in Stump Creek. While at the residence, Kruzelak and Fairman reportedly recovered a majority of the controlled substances, as well as the safe that was removed from the Animal Hospital. The safe had been pried open. The investigation further revealed that Katherine Knapp was a prior employee of the Animal Hospital.
Both suspects were arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Michael Rudella. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Friday.
Shaw stated that he was pleased with the quick response of the Sandy Township Police Department to identify the suspects and make an arrest.
Shaw stated that surveillance cameras are always useful tools for solving these types of crimes and noted that more and more businesses are installing surveillance equipment to protect their investments.
Anyone with knowledge or information about a crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crime Stoppers at (800)-376-4700. All calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site at “www.ClearfieldDA.org” and selecting “Report A Crime.”