CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced that charges have been filed against a Clarion County man. Shaw identified the defendant as Jerry Lee Ritchey, Jr., age 36, of Southern Avenue, Strattanville.
On July 26, 2011, Trooper William Mostyn of the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield Barracks, filed a Criminal Complaint charging Ritchey with: 1) burglary, F2, 4 counts; 2) criminal trespass, F2, 4 counts; 3) theft by unlawful taking or disposition, M, 2 counts; 4)criminal mischief, M, 2 counts; and 5) criminal mischief, S. Mostyn also obtained a warrant for Ritchey’s arrest.
An affidavit of probable cause filed with the complaint provides that the Pennsylvania State Police were conducting a multi-county investigation of multiple burglaries of commercial businesses. As a result of information and evidence obtained from those investigation, Ritchey was developed as a suspect. Furthermore, based on a court order, the State Police were able to place a tracking device on Ritchey’s vehicle that enabled State Troopers to track Ritchey’s movements.
The affidavit also provides that on July 21, 2011, PSP-Clearfield began an investigation into burglaries that had occurred at four Clearfield County businesses. As a result of information provided by the tracking device placed on Ritchey’s vehicle, the Pennsylvania State Police were able to determine that Ritchey was present in the area of each of the four burglaries. Additionally, evidence found at each crime scene resulted in the State Police obtaining a warrant for Ritchey’s arrest.
On the morning of July 27, 2011, state troopers took Ritchey into custody without incident. Ritchey is currently being taken to a magisterial district judge in Clarion County for preliminary arraignment. Ritchey was scheduled to appear before District Magisterial Judge Michael Rudella, in Kylertown, Clearfield County on Wednesday, at which time bail was established and a preliminary hearing date set.
Shaw reported that several of the commercial business that were burglarized had money stolen and sustained property damage.
Shaw stated that this case is an example of modern technology being used to solve crime. Shaw praised the hard work of the Pennsylvania State Police, noting that this was a lengthy investigation. Shaw said that many state troopers worked countless hours to solve these crimes.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call their local barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Anyone with knowledge of crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crimestoppers at 800-376-4700. All calls to Crimestoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site and selecting “Report A Crime”.
