CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. has announced the capture of a wanted fugitive.
Shaw identified the fugitive as Austin Patterson, 21, of Clearfield. Patterson was added to the Clearfield County Fugitive of the Week list on Nov. 2, 2015.
On Sept. 24, 2015, Patrolman Elliott Neeper of the Lawrence Township Police Department filed a criminal complaint against Patterson. He charged Patterson with burglary, F2; criminal trespass, F2; theft by unlawful taking, F3; receiving stolen property, F3; and criminal mischief, M3.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Sept. 16, 2015, Neeper received a report about suspicious items abandoned outside of a local business.
Upon arrival Neeper allegedly observed various electronics and DJ equipment located outside of the business along with a two-wheeled hand cart.
Officers traveled to a local storage unit facility, where they allegedly observed that the padlock on one of the units had been removed. Officers then contacted the property manager who was able to pull the surveillance video.
Officers allegedly observed two males enter the property and proceed directly to the storage unit. The two males were allegedly observed cutting the padlock of the storage unit and removing the various items.
The male suspects allegedly transferred the items to a vehicle. However, they left behind the two-wheeled hand cart and a pair of recently-purchased bolt cutters.
Officers were able to obtain surveillance video of three males who had recently purchased the bolt cutters from a local business. One of the males was identified as Patterson.
Officers were also able to further identify the suspected vehicle as belonging to Patterson. When later confronted by officers, Patterson allegedly admitted to involvement in the burglary.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 28, 2015, at which time Patterson failed to appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Shaw stated that on Jan. 5 an officer from the Clearfield Borough Police Department spotted Patterson’s vehicle while on routine patrol. The officer then went to Patterson’s previous address in an attempt to locate him.
Upon obtaining permission to enter, the officer spotted Patterson retreat into the basement in an attempt to conceal himself. Patterson was then apprehended in the basement of the residence. Patterson is currently lodged in the Clearfield County Jail.
Shaw thanked the Clearfield Borough Police Department for its 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.”