CLEARFIELD – The preliminary hearing for a man accused of burglarizing businesses in multiple counties was continued on Wednesday.
Jerry Lee Ritchey, Jr., age 36, of Southern Avenue, Strattanville is charged 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’s new hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.