DUBOIS – A DuBois teen has been charged by Sandy Township police for several camp burglaries in August.
Matthew E. Witherite, 19, is charged with three counts each of burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal mischief.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Aug. 12 police investigated a burglary at a seasonal home on Beers Road. The victims reported that two flat screen televisions, electronics, furs, tools, clothing, antiques and other items totaling more than $29,000 had been removed from the camp. Entry was gained by breaking a window in the master bedroom.
Police investigated a burglary on Fire Tower Road Aug. 14, where officers on patrol discovered an open window at a secondary home that had been broken into the week before. The owner later reported helmets, clothing, ammunition and other items were missing. The items were valued at $891.
On Aug. 18 police were called to a camp on Kiehlmeir Road that had been broken into and ransacked. Someone had discharged a fire extinguisher inside the camp; missing was a shotgun, heaters, an old CB radio and a skeet thrower with a total value of $1,387, police said. Damage was estimated at $2,500.
A receipt was found in the yard that was traced to Kerr’s Auto Repair in Reynoldsville. The owners were contacted and it was discovered that their son, Seth Kerr, had their truck on the night in question. Inside the truck, officers located the CB radio and receiver.
When he was questioned, Kerr claimed he had been working the night of the burglary but later it was discovered that Kerr had been terminated from his job earlier in the week.
Witherite’s ex-girlfriend provided information to investigators on the burglaries. She told police that she was at a residence on Circle Road when a juvenile and Witherite showed up with a rifle and motorcycle helmets.
The juvenile and another juvenile left with Witherite and returned with a big screen television and a smaller television. They were talking about breaking into camps. She told police they mentioned tool boxes and GPS systems that had been taken from cars in the area.
The first juvenile was interviewed with their guardian. He admitted he was involved with the burglary at Kiehlmeir Road and the other on Beers Road. The second juvenile said he was involved with the burglaries on Beers Road and Fire Tower Road.
When Witherite was interviewed by police, he admitted to burglarizing the three camps. He stated he, Kerr and the first juvenile were involved with the Kiehlmeir Road crime; he and the second juvenile in the Fire Tower Road burglary; and he and both juveniles committed the burglary on Beers Road.
Kerr, 19 of Reynoldsville has been charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.
Both Witherite and Kerr are scheduled for preliminary hearings Nov. 4 during centralized court in District Judge Patrick Ford’s office.