CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. has announced the capture of a wanted fugitive.
Shaw identified the fugitive as Matthew Rockey, 21, of Winburne. Rockey was added to the Clearfield County Fugitive of the Week list on July 23.
On Feb. 24, Trooper Richard Hoover of the Pennsylvania State Police, Philipsburg barracks, filed a criminal complaint, charging Rockey with receiving stolen property.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Hoover states that in September of 2010, the Pennsylvania State Police began an investigation into the theft of an all-terrain vehicle from a residence in Rush Township. Upon investigation it was found that Rockey had possession of the stolen ATV, which was valued at approximately $6,500. When the ATV was recovered in Clearfield County, it had been completely destroyed.
A preliminary hearing was held March 21, at which time all charges were held to court.
In a separate case, Trooper Dewaine Kephart of the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield barracks, filed a criminal complaint Oct. 4, 2011, charging Rockey with receiving stolen property.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Kephart states that in September of 2011, the Pennsylvania State Police began an investigation into the theft of automotive parts from a location in Cooper Township. Upon further investigation it was found that Rockey had possession of the stolen parts, which were recovered and returned to the victim.
A preliminary hearing was held Dec. 21, 2011, at which time all charges were held to court. On July 10, Rockey failed to appear for both cases for plea and sentencing court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Shaw stated that an anonymous tip to the Pennsylvania State Police provided the location of Rockey. On Nov. 11, troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield barracks, and officers from the Morris-Cooper Regional Police Department apprehended Rockey at a residence in Morris Township.
Rockey is currently lodged in the Clearfield County Jail.
Shaw thanked the Pennsylvania State Police and Morris-Cooper Regional Police Department for their assistance with this case.
Anyone with knowledge of a fugitive’s location 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.”