CLEARFIELD – A DuBois woman accused of selling methamphetamine pleaded guilty Monday in Clearfield County Court.

Kelly Elizabeth Zameroski, 22, an inmate of the jail, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, both of which are ungraded felonies. She was sentenced to three to 15 years in state prison by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman.

Ammerman commented that this was an example of “another life ruined by methamphetamine.” He stated that he has a daughter the same age as Zameroski and couldn’t imagine how he would feel if his daughter was in this situation.

This same drug is “poisoning people in this area,” he said adding that those affected are getting “younger and younger.”

According to court documents, an informant bought meth from Zameroski, who was arrested after a traffic stop in October. Officers found four grams of meth, $8,000 in cash, ledgers with names of customers listing their drug debts and packaging materials in her vehicle.

Zameroski told investigators she was getting meth from Robert Selfridge and Nicolette Holzer. She said of the $8,000 found in her vehicle $4,650 was to be paid to Holzer. Holzer first contacted her asking her to help sell meth because she needed money to get Selfridge out of jail.

Part of Zameroski’s profits was used to buy more meth and another to help her obtain her real estate license, she told police. She also admitted to them that she would get meth on a weekly basis and then distribute it to others who would sell it for her.

Holzer made headlines when she tried to jump out a window at the courthouse after her bail was revoked. Holzer’s drug cases are still pending. She remains incarcerated.

This meth drug ring was part of the “Operation Ice Storm” investigation that resulted in the arrest of approximately 30 people in March.

“Operation Ice Storm” targeted people with connections to drug rings that were selling methamphetamine and heroin in the area, according to previously published reports.

The arrests were the result of a year-long investigation that involved the DuBois City and Sandy Township Police Departments, the Clearfield County Drug Task Force, the District Attorney, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

Deputy Attorney General David Gorman stated in court that he would not be pursing charges against Zameroski in a second case filed as part of “Operation Ice Storm.”

State police at DuBois

• DuBois-based state police have charged Douglas E. Bloom Jr. of DuBois with five counts each of the following: rape of child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of minors and indecent assault. He allegedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl between April 1 and June 12 at a Snyder Township residence.

State police at Philipsburg

• State police received a report about an incident of burglary that occurred Thursday or Friday on High Street in Unionville Borough. During the incident, someone allegedly entered the victim’s unsecured residence and removed prescription medication. Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police at Philipsburg at 814-342-3370.

State police at Punxsutawney

• State police received a report about an alleged incident of harassment that occurred June 11 on Main Street in Corsica Borough. However, the victim declined prosecution in the matter.

Clearfield Borough

• Police arrested a male for allegedly violating a Protection from Abuse order that was issued on him. He was transported to the Clearfield County Jail to await arraignment.
• Police were called to East Cherry Street for a complaint about garbage being on another person’s property. Police spoke to the property owner and advised him of the complaint.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of harassment that had occurred outside of the Clearfield County Courthouse.
• Police were called to Ogden Avenue for kids running in and out of traffic. Police spoke to the parent and advised him of the complaint.
• Police are investigating an alleged incident of burglary that occurred at a shed along Park Avenue.
• Police reported that a vehicle was backed into along Bridge Street. The operator of the vehicle then fled the scene, police said.
• Police responded to North Second Street for a disabled motorist.
• Police were called for an incident of driving under the influence. Police reported that a vehicle struck a tree, and the male operator fled the scene. Police located the male and allegedly found him to be highly intoxicated. The male was arrested for the incident, and after receiving medical clearance, he was taken to the Clearfield County Jail.
• Police responded to South Fifth Street where items of drug paraphernalia were located at. Police were able to collect the items.

Curwensville Borough

• Police received a report about a traffic hazard in the area of Ridge Avenue. However, it was an unfounded report with the items being removed prior to police arrival.
• Police assisted a motorist on Anderson Street.
• Police are currently investigating several acts of soliciting and disorderly conduct. Further, police said that a known male is soliciting throughout the borough for cash and asking for help. Police would like to warn residents not to provide any cash, and that the male is asking for cash to purchase alcohol. Police will cite the male for violations of the borough ordinance and crime code.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of fraud after someone used the victim’s e-mail account and personal information. The victim hasn’t found any monetary losses at this time, police said.
• Police received a report about the alleged theft of medications that occurred at the Curwensville Commons.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of criminal mischief that occurred at Irvin Park. Damage occurred to a band shell, police said.
• Police received a report about an alleged drug violation at the Curwensville Commons. However, it was listed as unfounded by police.

Sandy Township

• A vehicle driven by an 81-year-old Luthersburg woman hit the back of a delivery truck that was parked in front of Lowe’s on Friday. No injuries and minor damage were reported, police said.
• On Saturday a 40-year-old Jefferson Avenue woman reported that her son returned home intoxicated and started a fight with his brother so she kicked him out. He then allegedly returned and was banging on doors and broke the glass trying to get back in.  However, he was gone upon police arrival.
• Police received a report about a 3-year-old boy who wandered into an Ollie Lane residence Saturday. Upon arrival officers were able to follow the child to his residence on Hanes Drive.  Upon arrival it was determined the child was being watched by an uncle and his girlfriend, and neither of whom was aware that the boy had left the residence. Child neglect charges are pending, and Children & Youth Services was called in to investigate the case.
• A Crater Road resident reported one of his steers escaped from a fenced area on his farm, and he was unable to find it Saturday. However, the steer was returned prior to police arrival.
• On Saturday a 75-year-old Spot Road woman reported that her carpet scrubber, push mower and prescription pills were missing from her home. She suspected a 24-year-old man who helped her around the house; the carpet scrubber and mower were returned the next day, police said. Police are continuing their investigation at this time.
• Police received a report about a woman wearing a white shirt and plaid shorts running in and out of traffic on DuBois Rockton Road on Saturday. However, the woman was gone upon police arrival.
• A Clear Run Road resident reported that someone crashed into to the vehicle parked in his driveway Sunday, causing major damage and then left the scene. Police are continuing their investigation at this time.
• When officers made a routine traffic stop near West Liberty Road on Sunday, they found the driver was driving on a suspended license and had a bench warrant out for his arrest. He was taken into custody, which was transferred to the sheriff’s office.
• Police received a report about a vehicle in which the driver and passengers were acting suspiciously Sunday. Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop after following it to Wal-Mart. Officers determined the passengers were allegedly under the influence, and a 25-year-old Gipsy woman was transported to Penn Highlands due to overdosing. Illegal drugs were found in the vehicle and charges are pending, police said.
• Police were called to a Hungry Hollow Road residence for an alleged break-in Monday. A caretaker told police that someone broke in and caused damage inside the vacant house. They also broke into the shed and took items.  There is a motor home parked at the property, and they said it was also entered and damaged. Police are continuing their investigation of the incident at this time.
• A Dixon Avenue resident reported loud construction work in the area around 6 a.m. Tuesday. Upon investigation it was found that a 57-year-old Brookville man was working on the Friendly Tavern and agreed to stop the loud work until a reasonable hour.
• A Kilmer Road resident alleged that when he returned home from work Tuesday, he found that someone had entered the residence and removed several guns, silver pieces and $200 in cash from the residence. Police are continuing their investigation at this time.
• Police received a report about a false alarm at Rite Aide on Tuesday.
• A Clearfield woman reported hitting a deer Tuesday on DuBois Rockton Road near the Fullington Bus terminal. Minor damage and no injuries were reported as a result, police said.

CLEARFIELD – An Osceola Mills man who was shot after a fight outside an Osceola Mills bar was sentenced Tuesday for his part in the fight.

Jeffrey Lynn Swanson, 46, pleaded guilty and was sentenced by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to 30 days to one year in jail and one year consecutive probation.

He pleaded guilty to simple assault and harassment. He was fined $525 plus costs and was ordered to complete anger management counseling.

Before sentencing Swanson, Ammerman asked District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. why he had offered this plea when the crime should have a minimum sentence of 12 months in jail.

Shaw responded that it would be difficult to prosecute the case because Swanson had suffered life-threatening injuries and he could claim his actions were in self-defense.

The details in the criminal complaint state that it was Swanson, who struck first after being threatened by Hanson.

“Under the circumstances, I thought he should at least be charged with assault,” Shaw said.

When he addressed the court, Swanson said he wanted to apologize and stated this incident really affected his family. It was a mistake, he said.

“It’s fortunate you didn’t pay for your mistake with your life,” Ammerman said. He noted that when you combine alcohol with people who have bad tempers, plus throw a gun into the mix, this kind of thing can happen.

Hanson was sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison in March for aggravated assault and person not to possess firearms. He was originally charged with attempted murder.

The charges are the result of the fight, which occurred outside the VFW in Osceola Mills in April of 2015. Both men suffered gun shot wounds with the victim having injuries to his chest area, including his right lung.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, while Hanson was sitting in the VFW bar, he told a woman he had gotten a gun from somebody and that he was going to shoot Jeff Swanson because he had ripped him off.

The female then left the VFW and went home where she called another bar to talk to the victim. The female told Swanson to stay away from Hanson because he had a gun and was going to shoot him.

At approximately 1:30 pm, Swanson left the other bar and walked to the VFW, opened the door, and yelled for Hanson to come outside. Hanson walked to the same door, opened it and stepped outside. The two men began to argue.

Swanson slapped Hanson across the face and then punched him several times in the face and head, according to the report. Hanson fell onto the sidewalk.

At this time, the gun that was in Hanson’s waist fell to the ground. Hanson and Swanson struggled over the gun. During the struggle, the gun went off and one shot was fired up into the air. A second shot went off grazing Hanson on the side of the head.

Swanson then began to walk away. He walked approximately 15 feet when Hanson yelled to Swanson, “Hey Jeff.” After Swanson stopped and turned around, Hanson then fired the revolver with the shot striking Swanson in the right side of his chest, police said.

An employee of the VFW phoned 911 while the fight was taking place. Emergency personnel quickly arrived at the scene and provided medical treatment.

Both Hanson and Swanson were transported by ambulance and then by helicopter to UPMC Altoona where they received treatment for their injuries. Hanson was treated for minor injuries.

A witness told police that he gave Hanson a gun prior to the shooting after Hanson asked to borrow it. The witness said he had no idea Hanson was going to use the gun to shoot someone. He did comment that he thought Swanson owed Hanson $9,000, and Hanson told him that Swanson had ripped him off.

Robert Allen Selfridge (Provided photo)

CLEARFIELD – A DuBois man accused of bringing large amounts of methamphetamine to the area was given a lengthy state prison sentence Tuesday during plea and sentencing court.

Robert Selfridge, 36, pleaded guilty before President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of firearms prohibited, firearm not to be carried, flight to avoid apprehension, default in required appearance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to a total of 13 years to 30 years in state prison.

The charges stem from an incident in February of 2015 when he was arrested in a hotel in DuBois for having a quantity of methamphetamine and in Allegheny County in July when Selfridge, who had been on the run, was apprehended as he was sneaking out of a motel.

According to grand jury testimony, Selfridge was arrested at the hotel in DuBois after authorities responded to an activated fire alarm. Selfridge was seen leaving the room with two bags of luggage, which he put into a vehicle.

When the bags were searched, officers found 77.51 grams of methamphetamine, over $10,000 in cash, three handguns, and 160 various pills. These items were packaged in a manner consistent with drug distribution.

Selfridge, who was then cooperating with an investigation of drug activity in the area, failed to turn himself in on gun charges and to attend a hearing on these charges in Clearfield County.

Nicolette Holzer was contacted at her residence on July 26 and asked if she had seen Selfridge. She said she had talked to him prior to the officers speaking with her. She was told to contact law enforcement if she had any other contact with him.

Officers saw Holzer at a motel in Allegheny County with Selfridge on July 28. Selfridge was spotted leaving the room wearing a wig and a white hat. He opened the trunk of a vehicle, threw two luggage bags in and quickly slammed the trunk.

At that point, he spotted the officers and fled on foot. He was apprehended by U.S. Marshals.

He had in his possession a gram of methamphetamine, $2,136 in cash, and a shotgun shell. Bags taken from his motel room contained four bags of crystal methamphetamine, black tar heroin, a shotgun, drug packaging materials, glassine bags, marijuana and forged identification with Selfridge’s photo, investigators reported.

Holzer, 35, 49 Albert St., Pittsburgh, is also facing similar drug charges in two cases. She recently made headlines when she tried to jump from a courthouse window after her bail was revoked because she tested positive for drugs.

CLEARFIELD- A Clearfield man pleaded guilty to selling cocaine Tuesday in Clearfield County Court.

Chad Allen Butler, 33, an inmate of state prison, pleaded guilty to a felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and was sentenced to 12 months to three years in state prison by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman.

This sentence will run consecutive to his current state prison sentence, which ended in October, according to Butler. He will receive credit for time served on this new case. Due to the felony charge, Butler must submit to DNA testing at a cost of $250.

The charges stem from an incident on April 3, 2014.

According to the criminal complaint, Butler sold 0.19 grams of cocaine to a confidential informant. His arrest was part of “Operation Leaf Rake.”

In a press release, District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. said that the 15 arrests from “Operation Leaf Rake” were the positive results of an ongoing cooperative drug investigation in Clearfield County.

Shaw said this comprehensive investigation, coordinated by the Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics Investigation (State College Office), focused on street and mid-level drug dealers.

Many of the suspects were selling the controlled substances on the streets, in parking lots, in local establishments, and in apartments and houses throughout the county.

Ralph Thomas Brown III (Provided photo)

CLEARFIELD – The case against a Clearfield man sentenced to state prison for killing a dog was discussed during motions court Tuesday.

Ralph Thomas Brown III, 29, was sentenced in May to nine months to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to cruelty to animals, disorderly conduct, loitering/prowling at night time and public drunkenness.

The charges stem from an incident in Clearfield Borough Feb. 2 when Brown killed a four-month-old pit bull/terrier mix puppy by strangling it and kicking it. For the full story, click here.

Curtis Irwin, attorney for Brown, filed a motion asking President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to reconsider Brown’s sentence.

Irwin admitted this was a “tragic case” but noted that Brown’s probation violation was based on the latest charges. Brown was sentenced to six months to one year in jail for that. His other arguments Irwin used were that Brown’s actions were the result of drug and alcohol use and he showed remorse.

Ammerman commented first that revocation sentences are the reason people on probation or parole shouldn’t commit crimes. He called the state prison sentence appropriate and said in some cases you “have to send a message on, and this is one of them.”  He added that he hoped Brown would find a way to break away from both drugs and alcohol.

Ammerman then denied the motion for reconsideration of sentence.

Prior to sentencing in May, Ammerman commented that people in the community were very upset with Brown and many people were talking about this case. Ammerman said he heard more about this than he had heard about any other case including those involving serious child abuse.

He also noted that Brown had to be kept in isolation at the jail to protect him. There was a fear he would be harmed by the other inmates for his treatment of the animal, he said.

State police at Clearfield

• On Tuesday a Grassflat man allegedly failed to keep his dog on his premises on Bedford Street in Cooper Township. He was charged for the incident as a result.

State police at Philipsburg

• On Tuesday state police observed a male riding an all-terrain vehicle on Rattlesnake Pike and he initially stopped the ATV. However, he then allegedly fled and turned onto Ammerman Road, which terminated the state police’s pursuit. State police described the male as being in his late teens and wearing black jeans and a lime green, sleeveless T-shirt. He was also wearing a full face helmet that was white and black in color and dark sunglasses. State police described the ATV as being dark green in color with metal racks on its front and rear. Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police at Philipsburg at 814-342-3370.

State police at Punxsutawney

• State police received a report about an incident of criminal mischief that occurred Sunday on Barilar Road in Young Township. During the incident, someone allegedly damaged the victim’s railroad tie fence with their vehicle and then fled the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police at Punxsutawney at 814-938-0510.

Lawrence Township

• Police received a report about a fuel spill on Route 879 near the Sapp Bros. Truck Stop.
• Police responded to a fire alarm at the Hampton Inn.
• Police responded to a 911 hang-up call at a local restaurant.
• Police received a report about a suspicious vehicle in the area of Bowman’s Hill Road.
• Police received a report about a vehicle with an improper child restraint system that was in the area of Wal-Mart.
• Police responded to Brown Street to conduct a welfare check.
• Police received a report about 911 hang-up call in the area of High Street.
• Police received a report about a noise complaint on Joseph Road.
• Police assisted emergency personnel in the area of Linwood Street.
• Police responded to an accident that occurred at the traffic light at the Clearfield Mall. Two injuries were reported, and both vehicles were towed from the scene, police said.
• Police received a report about a disorderly male at a local business on Route 879.
• Police responded to the Leonard Street area after receiving a report about four children being left unattended in a vehicle.
• Police received a report about a civil issue in the area of Woodland Road.
• Police received a report about a possible Protection from Abuse order violation in the area of Woodland Road.
• Clearfield Borough police were assisted with a DUI incident in the area of Merrill Street.
• Police received a report about an alleged theft in the area of Summit Street.
• Clearfield Borough police were assisted in the area of Jacobson Hill.
• Police responded to a burning complaint at Edgewood.
• Police responded to a structure fire in the area of 18^th
• Police received reports about IRS phone scams.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of harassment in the area of Lowe’s.
• Police conducted a warrant service in the area of Route 879.
• Police received a report about a suspicious vehicle at a local business on Route 879.
• Police received a report about an alleged domestic disturbance that occurred at Lowe’s.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of criminal mischief that occurred on River Road. During the incident, suspects were throwing eggs from the railroad bridge and striking numerous vehicles, police said.

State police at Clearfield

• State police reported a bad check that was given May 19 at the sheds at Dorsey Avenue and Mary Street in Irvona Borough. Further, an Irvona woman allegedly gave a bad check to Curtain Park Storage with knowledge that there weren’t sufficient funds in her account. She has been charged through the district court.

State police at Philipsburg

• State police received a report about an incident of harassment that occurred Thursday on Walnut Street in Decatur Township. During the incident, an Osceola Mills man allegedly harassed the victim. State police are continuing their investigation of the incident.
• State police received a report about an incident of disorderly conduct that occurred June 11 on Jacobs Road in Union Township. During the incident, an unknown male was allegedly in a lot urinating on the roadway near his white Chevrolet vehicle. He was wearing a pink shirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police at Philipsburg at 814-342-3370.

State police at Punxsutawney

• State police reported a firearm was lost June 5 at the Perry Township Sportsmen’s Club. Further, a Brookville man lost a Springfield XD 9 MM pistol near the club. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Punxsutawney at 814-938-0510.
• State police investigated an incident of DUI that occurred May 13 on Route 322 at the Hill Top One Stop in Pine Creek Township. Further, a Brookville teen was stopped for a summary traffic violation and allegedly determined to be under the influence. State police are continuing their investigation at this time.

Clearfield Borough

• Police received a report about an alleged theft from a residence on East 10^th
• Police received a report about someone who allegedly stole a package from the porch of a residence on Spruce Street.
• Police responded to Lower Witmer Park for two males who were allegedly fighting. Both males stated that they were just playing around, police said.
• Police assisted Lawrence Township police with arresting a male who had numerous warrants for his arrest at Hotel Heights.
• Police received a report that a Park Avenue resident allegedly had an iPhone and iPad stolen from her vehicle overnight.

Lawrence Township

• Police received a report about a phone scam in which the caller claims to be with the IRS and states that there’s a warrant for the victim’s arrest.
• Police received a parking complaint that occurred on 21^st
• Police assisted another agency in the Hyde area.
• Police responded to an animal complaint at Lowe’s
• Police responded to an alleged incident of retail theft at Wal-Mart.
• Police responded to a motor vehicle accident on the Shawville-Croft Highway. It was referred to state police at Clearfield.
• Police executed an arrest warrant at the EconoLodge.
• Police responded to a noise complaint on Kauffman Road.

DuBois City

• Police were called to the intersection of Beaver Drive and Division Street for a report about a two-vehicle accident on Monday. Officers arrived and determined there weren’t any injuries and that both vehicles were drivable.
• Police received a report about an alleged theft from a South Avenue residence Monday.  The caller told police that an unknown actor gained entry and stole an Xbox 360 and swim ware. Police are continuing their investigation at this time, and anyone with information is asked to contact police.
• Police received a report from a woman who lost her wallet while at a business on Liberty Boulevard on Monday. The manager reviewed surveillance footage but was unable to assist, and the wallet remains missing at this time, police said.
• On Monday police received a report from a Robinson Street resident who stated she left her vehicle unlocked overnight and items were stolen.
• Police were called to the 500 block of Juniata Street for an alleged domestic disturbance Monday.  Upon arrival the caller told officers she had been assaulted by her 21-year-old son.  She refused medical attention and prosecution; there weren’t any arrests, police said.
• Police were called to the 400 block of Juniata Street for a report about loud music Monday.  Officers did not locate any music and were called back at a later time for the same report. This time, police stated that music was being played; however, it was not at an unreasonable level.
• On Monday police received a report from a Spring Avenue resident about an alleged theft from his vehicle sometime during the previous night.  Nothing of major value was reported as stolen, police said.
• Police were called to the DuBois Street area for a report about a group of juveniles ringing door bells and throwing things at residences Monday.  Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anyone.
• Police were dispatched to the 100 block of West Weber Avenue for a report about an individual who was allegedly causing problems and who was intoxicated Tuesday.  However, he fled prior to the arrival of officers. Police checked the area but were unable to locate him.
• Police were called to a Spruce Alley residence for a report about an alleged domestic disturbance Tuesday.  Further, a 17-year-old juvenile told police that his 14-year-old brother punched him in the mouth. He was returned home and police met with the mother. She indicated it was a mutual fight with each striking the other.  She was aware of the issue and capable of handling it and police didn’t make any arrests as a result.
• Officers responded to the intersection of Franklin Street and Scribner Avenue for a two-vehicle accident Tuesday. Police determined one driver proceeded without proper clearance at a stop sign.No injuries were reported and both vehicles were drivable, police said.
• Police were summoned to East Weber Avenue for a report about a domestic disturbance Tuesday. Police learned that the two females were arguing over nothing.
• Police were called to Martin’s Grocery store for a report about an alleged retail theft Tuesday. The manager told police they had witnessed a female place items into her backpack, and that she had fled the store when she was approached about it. Police are continuing their investigation at this time.
• Police received a report about a 911 hang-up on Quarry Avenue Tuesday.  Officers made contact with the occupants and learned it was accidental.
• Police received a report from an Olive Avenue resident that her cell phone was stolen Tuesday.  Later, police learned another resident of the apartment building located the cell phone, and it was returned to the owner.
• While on patrol Wednesday, an officer witnessed a tractor-trailer strike and cause damage to a light pole on West Long Avenue near Main Street. The officer conducted a traffic stop and collected the necessary information from the driver.  The driver was then released from the stop, and there weren’t any citations issued, police said.
• On Wednesday police were dispatched to the Giant Eagle complex on North Main Street to check the welfare of a woman.  Officers arrived to find the woman was having a reaction to new medication.  An ambulance was called to the scene, and the woman was transported to Penn Highlands for a medical evaluation, police said.
• Police were called to Shenkle’s Pharmacy for the alleged theft of a weed eater Wednesday.  Upon arrival police found it had been left out in front of the store unattended for a few minutes. When the employee returned the weed eater was discovered to be missing, police said. Officers and employees checked the surveillance footage and allegedly witnessed a Caucasian male take the weed eater; he was identified and located a short time later. Police stated that the weed eater was located in his possession, and he admitted to the theft. Theft charges will be filed against Joseph Michael Sheets, who is on probation but not being detained at this time.
• Police received a report from a West Weber Avenue woman that her vehicle was stolen Wednesday. She stated she was following her vehicle, and no one was to be driving it.  Officers were able to stop the vehicle and learned the owner’s son gave the driver permission to take the vehicle.  The driver was found to be driving under suspension, police said, and cited as a result. The son who loaned out the vehicle was also cited for permitting violation of title.

Decatur Township

• Police recovered drug paraphernalia from a restroom at the Sheetz store in Philipsburg.
• Police arrested two people after a drug delivery investigation in Decatur Township.
• Morris-Cooper Regional police were assisted with a possible drug violation at the Carpathian Club in Hawk Run.
• Police responded to a Bainey Road address for an alleged domestic situation involving a grandmother and her granddaughter.
• Police responded to two, separate incidents of alarms at Clearfield Bank & Trust Co., Philipsburg. Upon arrival police found everything to be OK.

Sandy Township

• On Wednesday a Forest Avenue resident reported that two kids walked onto his porch and knocked on the door. When he answered the door they ran away, he told police.  Officers checked the area, but the kids were gone.
• Officers were called to the Pilot Travel Center for an alleged domestic disturbance Wednesday.  Further, a 25-year-old California man told police that he and his girlfriend had gotten into an argument, and she had been punching and harassing him while he was driving. As a result, he punched her in the leg, he stated.  When they arrived at Pilot, he told police she left with another driver.
• Police reported that Wayland Farm Supply, located on Watson Highway, was broken into Thursday. Further, more than $2,000 worth of merchandise was taken from the store, police said, and the investigation is continuing at this time.

CLEARFIELD – A jury deliberated for about an hour Friday before finding Denny S. Bailey, 36, of Clearfield guilty of simple assault, M2, for brandishing a small, wooden club and knife during an altercation in September of last year.

The jury also found Bailey not guilty of terroristic threats, M1, and harassment, M3. Following the verdict, Clearfield County President Judge Fredric Ammerman ordered a pre-sentencing investigation; Bailey will appear for sentencing within 60 days.

Assistant District Attorney Warren B. Mikesell II presented the case on behalf of the commonwealth. Bailey was represented by defense attorney Ron Collins of Clearfield.

A tractor-trailer driver testified first about the incident for the commonwealth. On Sept. 22 he was on his way to make a delivery at the Mountain Laurel Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center at around 12 p.m.

While en route on Leonard Street, he had to wait on a pick-up truck, which was leaving the center and had come to a stop. It was keeping him from negotiating the turn, as he would have to swing wide, he said.

Because the truck’s female driver didn’t proceed on from the stop sign, he began motioning and yelling for her to “come on.” When the truck approached his tractor-trailer, he could hear the passenger, who he identified as Bailey, yelling at him.

When the truck pulled up alongside his cab window, he said he got an “earful” from Bailey, who wanted to know why he had used profanity toward his girlfriend who was operating the truck. He tried to explain that he was only saying “come on.”

At this point, they exchanged words before Bailey’s girlfriend pulled forward and stopped again at the rear of his trailer. He said he still didn’t attempt to negotiate the turn, as felt he’d clip the rear of the truck.

Bailey, he said, proceeded to exit the passenger’s side of the truck. He had his walking cane in one hand and a small, wooden club in his other hand. He then got out of his tractor-trailer.

According to his testimony, he was “dumbfounded” by this happening to him in Clearfield, a small, rural town in Pennsylvania. He testified that he makes regular deliveries to larger cities in bad neighborhoods in New York and New Jersey but has never had any problems.

He said Bailey was yelling at him while holding the club, which he reached for and grabbed from Bailey. He told jurors he was trying to avoid being hit with it and relieved to get it so quickly. He threw the club into a field adjacent to them.

However, Bailey then pulled out a knife and stated, “Ha-ha, I’ll cut you.” “I immediately backed up,” the tractor-trailer driver testified.

When asked, he confirmed having access to his own club and other tools in his tractor-trailer, which he could have used for purposes of protection. He said that he chose not to prevent the situation from escalating further.

He said another vehicle approached the scene on Leonard Street. When the operator exited he ordered them both to return to their vehicles until police arrived at the scene to sort things out.

Jeremy Ruffner, Clearfield County 911 coordinator, testified next. On the date in question, he was leaving for a dental appointment when he encountered the vehicles blocking Leonard Street.

Ruffner corroborated the tractor-trailer driver’s testimony, saying he observed Bailey walking along the trailer with the club. At this point, he said the driver was still in his tractor-trailer but did exit and stand by his cab door.

Ruffner said he then observed Bailey raise the club as if he was about to strike the tractor-trailer driver. However, the driver was able to grab the club and throw it into the adjacent field. After that, Ruffner said Bailey pulled out a knife and the driver stepped back.

Before approaching the men, Ruffner said he had already called the dispatch center to have police respond and break up the altercation. He ordered both men to return to their vehicles until police arrival, and both complied.

Officer Zachary Cowan of the Lawrence Township police said he was dispatched to a fight in progress shortly after 12 p.m. Sept. 22 on Leonard Street near the Mountain Laurel Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center.

He made contact at the scene with the tractor-trailer driver and then Ruffner. Another township officer made contact with Bailey, who was inside the pick-up truck, he said.

When he made contact with the tractor-trailer driver, he was informed of the wooden club, which had been grabbed away from Bailey and thrown into the field.

He retrieved the club and proceeded to make contact with Bailey. Upon making contact with him, Cowan said Bailey advised he had a knife on him. Cowan asked Bailey to step out of the truck, and he seized the knife from him.

When he interviewed Bailey about the incident, Cowan said he claimed the tractor-trailer driver had made rude statements about his girlfriend. He also claimed that the tractor-trailer driver had initiated the entire confrontation.

Bailey’s girlfriend testified first for the defense. On the date in question, she said she and Bailey were leaving Mountain Laurel, and she was unable to see around the tractor-trailer, which was waiting to turn to go into the center.

She had pulled up to try to see and the tractor-trailer’s driver was yelling obscenities at her and calling her names. She felt demeaned, intimidated and scared by the tone of his voice and his actions.

According to her, the tractor-trailer driver got out, walked along the trailer and was coming toward them. Bailey, she said, got out and had the wooden club, and they both were angry and yelling at each other.

She said Bailey wasn’t swinging the club and doesn’t even move fast because he uses a walking cane due to his disability. She observed the tractor-trailer driver grab the club and hold it up as if to hit Bailey, but she said he threw it over his head into the field.

Under cross-examination, she denied that Bailey and the tractor-trailer driver had exchanged any words at the cab window. She claimed she stopped much further ahead only because there was a vehicle stopped ahead of her and more vehicles up ahead of it.

Mikesell then asked her after traffic cleared up ahead what stopped her from just going. She said “nothing.”

When asked why Bailey got out of the truck, she answered to protect her. “He has a cane and he’s disabled, wouldn’t the best protection be to stay in the vehicle?” Mikesell asked.

She said that was why Bailey took the club, but she didn’t know he had a knife with him.

Bailey also took the stand in his own defense, saying he’d become offended by the tractor-trailer driver yelling at and calling his girlfriend names.

He described the tractor-trailer driver as being angry and hostile toward her when she was stopped coming out of the center, and he [Bailey] stuck his middle finger up at him when they drove by.

When they reached the rear of the tractor-trailer, he said they were stopped due to traffic ahead. He noticed the driver exiting the tractor-trailer in the driver’s side mirror of the truck. He gave the tractor-trailer driver the middle finger again.

Initially, Bailey said that he didn’t think there was going to be any problems until the driver continued walking along the trailer toward their truck.

He noticed the tractor-trailer driver was bigger, but he still got out despite his disability. He testified that he didn’t want the tractor-trailer driver to get to and harm his girlfriend.

Bailey took the wooden club from the truck for protection but said he didn’t swing it during the incident. However, he said the tractor-trailer driver “snatched it” quickly and he thought to himself “now what” and feared getting beat with it.

When the tractor-trailer driver raised the club in the air, Bailey said he pulled out the little knife that was on his belt loop. He denied that he threatened to cut or harm the driver but instead told him to just get back into his tractor-trailer.

When Ruffner appeared out of nowhere, Bailey said he was relieved and like everything was going to be OK.

He said in his mind, he’d done what any man would have for their wife/girlfriend. Under cross-examination, he told Mikesell he felt it was the best decision because if he created a scene, then someone would probably call the cops.

When Mikesell pointed out that he didn’t even know if the tractor-trailer driver was armed with a weapon, Bailey said, “Yea, I know. I could’ve had my brains blown out of my head, but at least my girlfriend would have walked away.”

In his closing, Collins argued that the tractor-trailer driver wanted everyone to believe he was “perfectly innocent.”  He called attention to the fact that he was waving his arms and talking loudly and in an aggressive tone that intimidated Bailey’s girlfriend.

He wanted everyone to believe that he didn’t curse or call anyone names. “But if that were true, there wouldn’t have been an encounter at all,” he said. He believed the tractor-trailer driver was frustrated with the situation and demeaned Bailey’s girlfriend.

Collins also called attention to the fact that Bailey didn’t want a physical altercation because he was small in size in comparison to the tractor-trailer driver and plus, he had his disability. “But he was offended about his lady friend being insulted, demeaned,” he said, which made him feel the need to confront the tractor-trailer driver about it.

Collins argued that when Bailey took the club with him, the tractor-trailer driver was “amused” by it and wasn’t terrorized to the point he grabbed his own weapon. He noted that he didn’t say anything about Bailey swinging it around in a threatening manner during his testimony.

“He had no problem getting it away from Denny,” Collins argued, “and when he did, he didn’t keep it and threw it away.” He questioned why the tractor-trailer driver wouldn’t keep the club, if Bailey had pulled out a knife.

So far as Bailey’s statement that he’d cut the tractor-trailer driver with his knife, he described it as being made in the spur or heat of the moment. He said it wasn’t well-thought out, and there wasn’t any intent to act on it.

“If you had to bet on two people in a fight who would you put your money on,” Collins asked the jury.

Mikesell countered, saying he agreed the jury had heard different versions of the incident. However, he said it boiled down to which set of facts they believed as the truest.

He reminded jurors that Bailey took the wooden club because he wanted the tractor-trailer driver to know he meant business. He said when that was taken away from him his immediate reaction was to pull out the knife and to threaten to “cut” him.

He pointed jurors to testimony from Ruffner, who corroborated the tractor-trailer driver’s story. “Ruffner doesn’t have a dog in this race,” he said. “He just so happened to be on his way to a dentist appointment … You heard a truer set of facts from him.”

If Bailey wanted to protect his girlfriend, he should have done it according to the law. “What he did was terroristic threats and simple assault,” Mikesell argued. “Why not gun it, why not get out of there? If they had, we wouldn’t be here today, but he had to prove something instead.”

State police at Clearfield

• State police received a report about an incident of access device fraud that occurred sometime June 10-16 in Decatur Township. During the incident, someone allegedly used the victim’s information and obtained money from her account. Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police at Clearfield at 814-857-3800.
• State police received a report about an incident of theft that occurred sometime Thursday or Friday on Main Street in Cooper Township. During the incident, someone allegedly took the state inspection sign from Clark’s Service Center. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Clearfield at 814-857-3800.
• State police received a report about an incident of theft that occurred sometime Thursday or Friday at the Grassflat Moose in Cooper Township. During the incident, someone allegedly stole several bottles of alcohol. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact state police at Clearfield at 814-857-3800.
• State police received a report about an incident of criminal mischief that occurred Friday at Main Street residence in Cooper Township. During the incident, someone allegedly damaged the victim’s mailbox and then placed it on her front porch. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Clearfield at 814-857-3800.
• State police received a report about an incident of theft that occurred June 7 at the Sheetz in Philipsburg. During the incident, a female suspect allegedly stole the victim’s Child Support Card and used the ATM machine at the store to withdraw $120. Charges will be filed against the female through the district court.
• State police received a report about an incident of theft that occurred sometime Thursday or Friday at a private camp on Hilltop Drive in Greenwood Township. Further, the victim alleged to state police that on Sept. 16 he provided a Curwensville man with $2,500 in cash for building materials to install a steel roof on the camp. To date the victim hasn’t seen any material or work done, state police said. State police are continuing their investigation at this time.
• State police received a report about an incident of burglary that occurred Saturday on Schoonover Road at the West Branch Sportsmen’s Club in Graham Township. During the incident, someone allegedly damaged the front door by trying to kick it in. When they were unable to get in, they broke the side window, state police said. Once inside they allegedly removed approximately six cans of Bud Light beer and $6 in quarters. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Clearfield at 814-857-3800.

State police at DuBois

• On Thursday a Falls Creek woman lost her wallet in the Parker Dam State Park. Anyone who finds the wallet is asked to turn it over to state police at the DuBois barracks in Falls Creek.
• State police received a report about an incident of theft that occurred June 11 in Valier, Jefferson County. During the incident, someone allegedly stole approximately $300 in cash from the victim while at a graduation party. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at DuBois at 814-371-4652.
• State police received a report about an incident of burglary that occurred sometime June 12-13 on Apple Orchard Road in Winslow Township. During the incident, someone allegedly entered a garage overnight and removed multiple items. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at DuBois at 814-371-4652.
• State police received a report about an incident of harassment that occurred June 12 at a camp on South Street in Union Township. During the incident, an Erie man allegedly engaged in an argument that resulted in him pushing Victim 1 and pushing a door open striking Victim 2 in the arm. Charges were filed against him as a result through the district court.

State police at Philipsburg

• State police received a report about a theft/scam that occurred Friday in Osceola Mills/Philipsburg in Rush Township. Further, two people from South Africa allegedly scammed the victims out of more than $3,400 after they sent money grams from Wal-Mart. The victims were told they were one of the second prize winners in European, African and U.S. Consumer Sweepstakes in conjunction with the USA Departmental Stores, states police said. State police would like to warn residents to use caution about sending money out of the country.
• State police responded to a DUI crash Friday near the intersection of North Ninth and Alder streets in Philipsburg Borough. Further, a male crashed his vehicle into a utility pole and upon investigation state police allegedly found several items of drug paraphernalia with him. He resisted arrest while being put in handcuffs, state police said, and he was taken to the hospital for blood testing. Charges are to be filed against the male pending blood test results.
• State police investigated an incident of DUI that occurred Sunday on Governors Road in Union Township. Further, a Julian man was riding a motorcycle after he had allegedly been drinking. He was subsequently arrested for DUI and taken for a blood test; charges are currently pending blood test results, state police said.

State police at Punxsutawney

• State police received a report about an incident of burglary that occurred Thursday or Friday at Kinkead Aggregates in Bell Township. During the incident, someone allegedly smashed a glass window to a door, entered and then removed a Vizio television, HP computer and modem, HP copier and a CB radio. Total amount stolen is estimated at $520. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Punxsutawney at 814-938-0510.
• State police received a report about an incident of harassment that occurred Saturday on Kirkman Road in Pine Creek Township. During the incident, a male allegedly subjected the victim to unwanted physical contact.
• State police received a report about an incident of simple assault that occurred Friday on Blose Hill Road in Henderson Township. During the incident, a sister and brother allegedly engaged in a dispute, which turned physical and resulted in injuries. Both were taken into custody and arraigned in district court, state police said.

Lawrence Township

• Police received a call regarding an IRS phone scam.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of harassment that occurred in the Powell Avenue area.
• Police received a report about shots being fired in the Larson Road area.
• Police received a report about a minor motor vehicle accident at Wal-Mart.
• Police conducted a warrant service on Carbon Mine Road.
• Police received a report about suspicious people at Wal-Mart.
• Police received a report about fireworks in the Hyde area.
• Police conducted a warrant service after a traffic stop.
• Police received a report about a possible Protection from Abuse order violation in the Hyde area.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of retail theft that occurred at the Family Dollar Store. The actor has been identified in the incident, and charges are currently pending, police said.
• Police responded to assist a motorist on Smith Street.
• Police received a report about a dog bite incident at the Clearfield Mall.
• Police received a report about a rattlesnake in a resident’s yard. However, it was determined to be a common garter snake.
• Police responded to a hit-and-run accident on Plaza Drive. It remains under investigation at this time, police said.
• Police received a report about an alarm at a township business. It was determined to be accidental.
• Police responded to a traffic complaint that resulted in a warrant service on the Clearfield – Glen Richey Highway. Police subsequently took a male into custody.
• Clearfield Borough police were assisted with a warrant service at the Clearfield Penn Highlands Hospital.
• Police received a report about fireworks in the Hyde area.
• Police recovered a debit card from First Commonwealth Bank on Route 879.
• Police responded to an open 911 line in the Hyde area. Further, police determined everything was OK.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of theft along the Clearfield – Curwensville Highway. Charges are currently pending at this time, police said.
• Police received a report about a missing person who was later located by the caller.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of harassment along Carbon Mine Road.
• Police received a report about the alleged theft of a wallet from a local business. It remains under investigation at this time, police said.
• Police received a report about found drug paraphernalia.
• Police responded to the area of Spruce Street for a report about a suspicious person/vehicle.
• Police received a report about a motorcycle accident in the area of East 18^th
• Police received a report about an alleged domestic incident in the Spring Street area.
• Police conducted a welfare check at the EconoLodge.
• Police responded to an alleged domestic dispute on Clarendon Avenue. Charges are currently pending on both parties, police said.

CLEARFIELD – Today, a jury will decide the case against a Houtzdale man accused of burglarizing an auto dealership/garage, stealing a vehicle from the lot and then abandoning it in the woods in April of 2015.

Bruce Irwin Hockenberry, 58, of Houtzdale has been charged by state police at Clearfield with burglary, F2; theft by unlawful taking, F3; receiving stolen property, F3; and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, M2.

District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. is presenting the case on behalf of the commonwealth. Hockenberry is being represented by defense attorney Michael Marshall. Judge Paul Cherry is presiding over the trial.

Edmond George, owner of Jacob George Ford Sales, Houtzdale, testified first for the commonwealth. Around 1:30 a.m. – 2 a.m. April 24, 2015, he was notified about an alarm that was activated at his auto dealership/garage.

George lives next door to the family-owned dealership and went over to check it out. Upon entering and turning on lights, he didn’t immediately find anything disturbed and returned to his residence.

At 7:30 a.m., he went into work and a short time later, Trooper Robert Southern, a deputy fire marshal at the Clearfield barracks, came in to have his work vehicle serviced at the garage.

Southern, he said, noticed that a window had been smashed out in the garage door. George said he hadn’t noticed this when he responded to the activated alarm in the middle of the night.

This, he said, prompted him to check the dealership’s inventory of keys, and he noticed a key was missing. Through process of elimination, he determined the missing key was to a brand-new 2015 Ford Escape.

When he went out to the lot, he found the vehicle was missing from the front line. It was for sale by the dealership and not assigned a license plate, he said.

On April 26, 2015, he said state police recovered the stolen vehicle, and it was returned to be secured in his garage until it could be processed as part of the ongoing investigation.

Southern testified next, saying that at 7:30 a.m. April 24, 2015, he arrived at the dealership to have his state-owned pick-up truck serviced.

He noticed a window had been smashed out of the garage door, which he found to be strange. A pile of glass, he said, had been swept up against the garage outside.

Initially, he thought perhaps an employee had accidentally broken the window. He also noticed glass broken inside the garage, and George didn’t have any recollection of the window being broken.

“I thought then that perhaps a crime had occurred here and assumed burglary,” Southern said. He asked George to look around, and he determined a vehicle had been stolen off the lot.

He contacted his supervisor at the Clearfield barracks to see if he should begin an investigation or if another trooper would be dispatched to the scene. Southern said he was advised Trooper Nicholas Rickerson would respond to investigate it, and he remained until his arrival and photographed the scene.

At 8:30 a.m. April 24, 2015, Rickerson responded to the dealership, where he observed a window smashed out in the garage door. Like Southern, he noticed broken glass in a pile against the garage on the exterior and additional broken glass inside.

Upon speaking with George, he learned a key was taken for a 2015 Ford Escape, which was missing from the lot. On April 26, 2015, Rickerson said the stolen vehicle was recovered by Trooper Matthew Reifer in a remote, wooded area.

Rickerson indicated he was en route to another incident, so Reifer responded to the location to recover the stolen vehicle. It was recovered and transported back to the dealership, and those there were advised not to touch it until it could be processed by state police.

When interviewed April 27, 2015, Rickerson said that Hockenberry denied knowing anything about the alleged burglary and stolen vehicle from Jacob George Ford Sales.

A Houtzdale resident observed a black Ford vehicle abandoned in the woods April 26, 2015 while out four-wheeling. He’d read about the stolen vehicle in the news and thought it was possible it was that vehicle. He contacted state police at Clearfield and directed Reifer to its location.

Reifer said at first he wasn’t able to locate the stolen vehicle but eventually found it. He said it was in a remote, wooded area about 1.5 to 2 miles from the dealership. Upon obtaining its information, Reifer was able to confirm that it was in fact the stolen vehicle.

A key was brought to the location, and he drove the vehicle back to the dealership. Due to its location, Reifer didn’t think it would be possible to have it towed, so he decided it would be easiest to drive it himself, and he wore Latex gloves to do so.

After that Reifer said that no one accessed the recovered stolen vehicle because it was to be processed by Trooper Timothy Butler of the forensics services unit, Troop C, Punxsutawney.

Rickerson and Reifer both testified that on Dec. 23, 2015, they were present for Hockenberry’s preliminary hearing at centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. There, they said he apologized for stealing the vehicle.

On April 27, 2015, Butler processed the recovered stolen vehicle at the garage of Jacob George Ford Sales. Inside he found four CDs in the center console and a red flashlight. Butler was able to lift fingerprints from a CD and the back of the license plate, which were sent for analysis.

When the morning session of court concluded and jurors had vacated the courtroom, Hockenberry was warned by a sheriff’s deputy for making an inappropriate hand gesture toward one Clearfield state trooper during his testimony.

Before jurors were brought in for the afternoon session of court, Cherry also warned Hockenberry if it occurred again he would receive additional incarceration and a fine. Hockenberry indicated that he understood and it wouldn’t happen again during the course of trial.

When testimony resumed, Trooper David Patrick, a criminal investigator at the Clearfield barracks, took the stand for the commonwealth. On July 24, 2015, he interviewed Hockenberry at the barracks about the alleged burglary and stolen vehicle from Jacob George Ford Sales.

Hockenberry, he said, denied any involvement and indicated that the fingerprints lifted from the CDs couldn’t possibly belong to him. He said he didn’t own any music CDs, Patrick testified.

On Dec. 23, 2015, Hockenberry had his preliminary hearing in the case. Afterward, Patrick said he took him for fingerprinting, at which point Hockenberry confessed to taking the vehicle, driving it around and leaving it in the woods.

According to Patrick, Hockenberry related that he was having family issues, which caused him to commit the crime. However, Patrick said he wasn’t able to follow Hockenberry’s rationale, as it didn’t make any sense to him.

Under cross-examination, Marshall asked why Patrick didn’t include Hockenberry’s confession in any of his paperwork until a month before the trial. Patrick said it wasn’t relevant because Hockenberry had entered a guilty plea and at that point, he believed the case was over.

When Hockenberry withdrew his plea in May and the case was headed for trial, Patrick explained it became relevant and he documented it.  When asked by Shaw later, Patrick said there wasn’t any doubt that Hockenberry confessed to committing the crime after his preliminary hearing.

Corporal Richard Pottorf Jr., who is with the Bureau of Forensic Services, PSP Erie Regional Crime Lab, testified last for the commonwealth. He examined four fingerprints submitted to him, and one coming from a Kid Rock CD matched a confirmed fingerprint of Hockenberry’s right, index finger.

Karen Gearhart, Hockenberry’s long-time fiancée, testified first on behalf of the defense. She told jurors that the four CDs – Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, Black Crowes and AC/DC – recovered from the stolen vehicle belonged to her music collection.

She said that she had gone to Hockenberry’s trailer in Houtzdale with her brother to retrieve them and then loaned them to him. She didn’t see them again. When questioned initially, Gearhart wasn’t certain the exact date in 2015 that she retrieved the four CDs from Hockenberry’s trailer.

Later when asked, she believed this was in June/July of 2015. Then she indicated her brother died in June of that year, so they must have gotten the CDs sometime before that but she didn’t know when exactly.

Under cross-examination by Shaw, Gearhart confirmed that Hockenberry liked musical bands/artists, such as Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, the Black Crowes and AC/DC, while the couple is not “old-fashioned.”

She also confirmed she and Hockenberry have intended on getting married for a long time now. When asked, Gearhart agreed with Shaw that if Hockenberry was found guilty in the case, it would delay their wedding.

When asked by Shaw, she said she didn’t even know anything about Hockenberry being in trouble until more recently. She denied that she was told what to say to help him out in court.

Hockenberry took the stand in his own defense, denying he’d broken into the dealership and then stolen a vehicle from the lot April 24, 2015.

He agreed to interviews with state police because he had “nothing to hide,” he said, adding he’s not surprised his fingerprints were found on the CDs because he’s played them since 2003-2004.

Hockenberry said at his preliminary hearing Dec. 23, 2015, he didn’t say anything to state troopers about stealing a vehicle. Instead, he claimed that he made a “not so nice gesture” toward Reifer.

“Later on, I felt bad about it, said I was sorry and wished him a Merry Christmas,” Hockenberry testified. According to him, Rickerson was present when he made the apology to Reifer.

After his preliminary hearing, he said Patrick took him for fingerprinting and wasn’t able to get the machine to work properly. He told jurors that he neither discussed the case nor family problems with Patrick.

Under cross-examination by Shaw, Hockenberry admitted that he “gave him [Reifer] the bird” at his preliminary hearing in December. He said that Reifer had been “on his case” for a long time.

Shaw pointed out that Rickerson, Reifer and Patrick all testified that he’d confessed to stealing the vehicle from the dealership. Hockenberry told him that they were all lying about it.

The trial will resume today at 9 a.m. with closing arguments. Afterward, Cherry will charge members of the jury and send them into deliberations.

State police at Punxsutawney

• State police investigated a DUI that occurred May 27 on Route 119 at the Elk Run Car Wash in Punxsutawney Borough. Further, state police stopped a Homer City man for a traffic violation and determined that he was allegedly under the influence. Charges were filed through the district court, state police said.

Curwensville Borough

• Police received a report about an IRS phone scam.
• Police reported that during a storm, a large tree fell onto a parked vehicle in the Alan Street area. It damaged the roof and windshield, which made the vehicle inoperable, police said.
• Police received a report about a vehicle being operated carelessly in the McNaul Street and Fourth Avenue area. Police will cite the operator for the violation.
• Police received a report about a television that was allegedly stolen more than a year ago.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of retail theft that occurred at Dollar General.
• Police received two burning complaints over the weekend. People had small camp fires for cooking on their properties, police said. Police informed them about the borough’s ordinance, including placement of such fires being required to be 50 feet from a structure.
• Police received a report about someone who was allegedly altering registration stickers.

Sandy Township

• On Friday police received a report from a part-time Treasure Lake resident who alleged that someone attempted to break into his home. Police are continuing their investigation of the incident at this time.
• Police reported that a vehicle driven by a 59-year-old Custer City woman and a vehicle driven by a 33-year-old Treasure Lake woman were involved in an accident in the parking lot of Sweet Occasion on Friday. No injuries and minor damage were reported, police said.
• Police reported that a vehicle driven by a 26-year-old Treasure Lake man pulled from the Burger King parking lot and onto Shaffer Road into the path of a vehicle driven by a 62-year-old Driftwood man, causing the two to collide Friday. No injuries and moderate damage were reported, police said.
• On Friday police received a report from a Punxsutawney man who observed a vehicle hit and damage the mailboxes in front of Johnson Motors and then flee the scene.
• On Friday police received a report from a 52-year-old Pacific Avenue woman who observed a group of juveniles putting a for sale sign in her front yard.
• Police reported that a 68-year-old Mapledale Road man lost control of his vehicle on West Liberty Road on Saturday. This caused his vehicle to travel off the side of the roadway, hit a garbage bin and then travel over an embankment where it came to rest against trees in a yard. Minor injuries and severe damage were reported, police said.
• Police received a report about a man who was allegedly assaulting a female in the area of Number 2 Shaft Road and South Brady Street on Saturday. Upon arrival police found that the couple had left the area.
• Police received a report from a 53-year-old Ollie Lane woman who stated that when she returned to her home Saturday, she discovered several items were missing. Upon investigation officers suspected that the woman’s daughter took the items in retaliation for her mother obtaining custody of her children. Police are continuing their investigation at this time.
• Police reported that a 40-year-old West Long Avenue man was flown to Altoona after an accident Sunday. It was after he lost control of his motorcycle on West Long Avenue, causing it to roll and ejecting him from it, police said. Police are continuing their investigation at this time.
• While responding to the motorcycle accident above on Sunday, police were advised by emergency responders that another motorcycle was fleeing the area. It nearly hit responders head-on, police said. Officers were able to pull the motorcycle over and found the 38-year-old driver and 21-year-old passenger to allegedly be under the influence. Both parties were uncooperative with police, according to the report. The female was transported to Penn Highlands for evaluation, and the male was transported for a legal blood draw; charges are currently pending at this time, police said.
• Police received a report from a 26-year-old Grampian man who stated that while his tractor-trailer was parked at Pilot, someone scratched the hood area and bent the bumper Sunday.
• On Sunday police received a report from a 51-year-old Treasure Lake man who stated that an unknown male has left 13 very strange voicemail messages on his cell phone. Officers were able to contact the man and handle the situation without incident.
• On Sunday officers found a vehicle parked in a no parking zone outside Ross Dress for Less at the DuBois Mall with two, younger children in it. The 32-year-old mother returned to the vehicle, and officers handled the situation without incident.

Fugitive of the Week: Deric Frantz (Provided photo)

CLEARFIELD – District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. has announced Clearfield County’s Fugitive of the Week.

Shaw identified the fugitive as Deric Frantz, 28, of DuBois. He’s wanted for failure to appear at a preliminary hearing June 17. Frantz also previously failed to appear at Revocation Court on May 24.

On May 12 Officer Scott Johnson of the Sandy Township Police Department filed a criminal complaint in which he charged Frantz with retail theft, F3; criminal conspiracy/retail theft, F3; theft by deception, M1; and receiving stolen property, M1.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on March 28, Johnson was assigned to investigate incidents at a local business. Upon arrival, he made contact with store personnel who provided surveillance video and other information regarding an alleged theft.

Store personnel related that a male, who was later identified as Frantz, attempted to exchange an electronic device. However, he was unable to produce a receipt and the item was scanned, which determined it had not been sold.

Upon review of the surveillance video, Frantz was allegedly observed two days prior, accompanied with a female, removing the item from the shelf. Later, the female exited the store while attempting to conceal the item.

A preliminary hearing was held June 17, at which Frantz failed to appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Previously, Frantz had also failed to appear at Revocation Court on May 24, at which time a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Frantz is described as a Caucasian male standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with knowledge of Frantz’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.”

CLEARFIELD – A jury deliberated for almost an hour-and-a-half Tuesday before finding a Houtzdale man guilty of stealing a vehicle from an auto dealership/garage in April of 2015.

Bruce Irwin Hockenberry, 58, of Houtzdale was found guilty of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. However, he was found not guilty of burglary.

Hockenberry was accused of burglarizing Jacob George Ford Sales, Houtzdale, stealing a 2015 Ford Escape from the lot and then abandoning it in the woods during the early-morning hours of April 24, 2015.

District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. presented the case on behalf of the commonwealth. Hockenberry was represented by defense attorney Michael Marshall. Judge Paul Cherry presided over the trial.

During his closing arguments, Marshall pointed out that the key to the stolen vehicle was locked up inside of the garage. There wasn’t any testimony or evidence presented as to how Hockenberry would have gotten that key, he said.

He showed the jurors exhibits of the smashed out window in the garage door. He noted that most of the broken glass from it was outside in a pile, suggesting it was smashed out from the inside.

“It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t sound like someone broke in,” Marshall argued. Instead, he suggested it appeared like someone got inside without breaking in and then wanted to make it look like a break-in.

He also called attention to a “key” piece of evidence, a red flashlight, recovered from the stolen vehicle that wasn’t sent by the state police to the Erie Regional Crime Lab for analysis.

“It can’t be disputed that they left it sit in the evidence room, and it may have been a potential source of evidence,” Marshall said. “… Even if there’s only a slight chance, it is still evidence; you have to check that.”

He said perhaps, state police were afraid it would come back with someone else’s DNA and “mess up the case.” “The only fingerprint they have is on that Kid Rock CD,” he told jurors.

Marshall put emphasis on the fact that the state police didn’t collect any fingerprints matching that of Hockenberry inside of the stolen vehicle or in the garage. He also said that once recovered, the stolen vehicle wasn’t impounded until its processing.

“You have to think about these things,” he said. “Is that proper police procedure?”

He also asked why Hockenberry would break in and go through all of the bother to find a key, match it to a vehicle and steal it only to dump it in the woods.

Lastly, Marshall pointed out that three state troopers testified that Hockenberry had confessed to committing the crime at the time of his preliminary hearing. However, that confession, he said, didn’t come out until shortly before the trial.

“Bruce agreed to talk to state police twice,” Marshall said, “and told him he didn’t do it. Does it make any sense that he’d get to his preliminary hearing months later and say, ‘hey, I did it?’”

In his closing, Shaw countered, reminding jurors they were only to consider the evidence and testimony presented during the trial. “You can’t base your decision on what wasn’t presented,” he said. “That’s not evidence.”

Shaw also asked jurors not to give any weight to the testimony that Hockenberry had previously entered a guilty plea. He said it’s “not typically known” and everyone has the right to take their case to trial.

He said when Hockenberry confessed to the state troopers, it was after his preliminary hearing and they believed the case was resolved and not going to trial. As a result, they didn’t find it necessary to document it.

However, Shaw said Hockenberry changed his mind and wanted to take the case to trial. “And, that’s fine, but fair is fair. He made those statements and the commonwealth has the right to use his own words against him.”

Shaw suggested that when the window was smashed out of the garage door, glass fell inside. The broken glass piled outside, he said, was likely removed in order for entry to be made without injury.

He also said the commonwealth didn’t have to prove specifics on how Hockenberry got into the lockbox, as that wasn’t an element of burglary.

Shaw concluded, saying the stolen vehicle was found not far from Hockenberry’s residence in a wooded area. “It wasn’t dumped there for good,” he argued.

He reminded jurors that Hockenberry had testified that his truck wasn’t legal and couldn’t be driven and he often relied on others for transportation. “He wasn’t done with it. He needed a vehicle to drive around,” Shaw said.

“It comes down to who you are going to believe. Are you going to believe the state police or are you going to believe the defendant and his long-time fiancée who has a motive to help him out.”

Lawrence Township

• Police received a report about an alarm at a business on Industrial Park Road. It was accidentally set off by cleaning personnel, police said.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of theft.
• Police received a noise complaint.
• Police received a report about a child custody issue.
• Police received a report about a suspicious male on South Second Street.
• Police received a report about a stolen vehicle from the Super 8 Motel.
• Police received a report about a suspicious vehicle at the Dutch Pantry.
• Police received a report about a suspicious vehicle in the area of South Second Street.
• Clearfield Borough police were assisted with a suspicious person/vehicle incident in the area of Cumberland Street.
• Police assisted emergency personnel in the area of Hidden Valley Lane.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of terroristic threats that occurred at a local business on Route 879.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of open lewdness in the area of South Second Street.
• Police received a report about an abandoned vehicle in the area of Jury Street.
• Police received a report about an alleged incident of theft from a local business on Daisy Street Extension.
• Police received a report about a lost dog in the area of High Street. It was found and returned to its owner, police said.
• Police received a report about a vehicle repossession in the area of Coal Hill Road.
• Police responded to a psychological emergency at the Economy Inn.
• Police received a report about a disabled vehicle along the Route 879 Bypass.
• Police received a report about a lost wallet at the Wal-Mart Supercenter.
• Police conducted a warrant service in the area of NW Third Avenue and Clearfield Street.
• Police received a report about a missing person and or welfare check in the area of the Clearfield – Shawville Highway.
• Police received a noise complaint that occurred on Flegal Road.
• Police received a complaint in reference to a drug violation.

Curwensville Borough

• Police received a report about an alleged incident of trespassing Monday on a Schofield Street property. Police will provide extra patrols in this area, which is posted with signs.

Decatur Township

• Police requested fire personnel to handle a complaint regarding a tree that had fallen at the intersection of Irwin Road and Clover Street. It was blocking the roadway and subsequently removed.
• Police responded to a Graham Station Road address where a juvenile had run away upon police arrival. The juvenile then returned home, police said.
• Police responded to Houtzdale regarding a possible break-in. Police checked the residence and were unable to locate any unwanted persons at that time.
• Police arrested a male following an investigation involving him allegedly being found with a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
• Police assisted the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office with the service of a Protection from Abuse order on a Decatur Township man.
• Police responded to Houtzdale in reference to a female who contacted them after realizing her SSI card had allegedly been used while she was incarcerated.
• Police responded to Miller Lane for a report about an alleged incident of disorderly conduct, harassment and trespassing by neighbors.
• Police responded to the area of the Drane Highway regarding a deer that was stuck to a motor vehicle.

Reagan Matthew Gurbal (Provided photo)

CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a wanted person identified as Reagan Matthew Gurbal.

Gurbal has a warrant for his arrest for theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Gurbal may be in the Milford Street area of Clearfield Borough or in the Snow Shoe area.  Please contact the Clearfield Borough police with any information at 814-765-7819.

CLEARFIELD – A DuBois woman pleaded guilty to giving beer to minors in Clearfield County Court Tuesday.

Stephanie Marie Fultz, 32, currently an inmate of state prison, pleaded guilty before President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to corruption of minors and furnishing liquor to minors.

Ammerman sentenced her to six months to three years in state prison and one year probation. This sentence will run concurrent with a sentence of 18 months to three years in state prison that she received for a probation violation in November from Jefferson County Court.

Prior to sentencing, her attorney, Curtis Irwin, asked the judge for a concurrent sentence. He explained her probation violation sentence was based on these latest charges.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were investigating a report of a theft by Fultz when they arrived at her apartment on Aug. 7. Her apartment door was open and after announcing themselves as police officers, they saw Fultz and a male appear out of a room to the left of the stairs. Fultz emitted a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and was holding a can of beer.

Upon entering, the officers also made contact with two other juvenile males. A case of beer was on the living room floor and multiple empty cans were on the floor, tables and in the kitchen sink. Both males were asked how much they had to drink. All three males admitted they had consumed some of the beer.

One of the males provided a written statement to police on Aug. 9 advising Fultz had provided the alcohol for them. He said she called him into the restroom at one point during the night. When he opened the door, she had her pants completely down, fully exposing herself to him. He left the bathroom and she approached him saying “no, it’s OK.” She then hugged him and stated “I don’t care if you’re 15, just don’t get me for rape.”

The day following the incident he received numerous calls from Fultz. When he answered she offered to pay him two different amounts of money, $400 and then $800 to withhold information from police. She wanted him to say he was already drunk when he arrived at her apartment.

Another of the males provided a statement saying that she purchased and supplied the beer. He said he also knew that Fultz had offered the other male money to withhold information.

Originally Fultz was charged with a felony count of intimidation of witness, a felony count of corruption of minors, indecent exposure, two misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors and three counts of sell or furnishing malt or brewed beverages to minors. After a preliminary hearing, the felony count of corruption of minors and the indecent exposure charges were dismissed.

CLEARFIELD – A former Reynoldsville man previously accused of not delivering grave markers to his clients waived his right to a preliminary hearing on new charges Wednesday.

Edmund A. Grenier Jr., 70, an inmate of state prison, is already charged with 30 counts each of deceptive business practice, theft by deception and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds in one case and in two additional cases he is facing one count each of these same charges.

The new charges are 17 felony counts each of deceptive business practices, theft by deception and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and seven misdemeanor counts of these same charges.

Grenier is currently serving a state prison sentence of 20 to 40 years from a probation violation in Jefferson County that he was given in September of 2015.

According to the latest affidavit of probable cause, 24 different victims paid for items, such grave site markers, granite bases, bronze memorial plaques, bronze vases and bronze scrolls to be installed at Crown Crest Cemetery in Lawrence Township that were never delivered. The total value of these is more than $56,000.

These records were obtained after a district judge issued a search warrant for Grenier Enterprises Inc., Lakelawn Memorial Park and Crown Crest Cemetery. Another warrant was issued to obtain information on three bank accounts for the businesses. Two of these had a balance of only $8.03 and the third had $95.11 in it. None of these accounts had an average balance to fulfill these orders.

According to online court records, in July Jefferson County Judge John Foradora ordered that all accounts in the name of Lakelawn Memorial Park or Crown Crest Memorial Park be closed and reopened by attorney Jeffrey M. Gordon. The cemeteries were to be sold to pay the debts of the business.

Grenier was scheduled to go to trial in February on the previously mentioned cases but that trial was continued. It is now scheduled for early 2017 and may include these new charges.

Over the past few years, Grenier has been charged several different times in both Clearfield County for Crown Crest Cemetery and in Jefferson County for Lakelawn Memorial Park for his failure to deliver products to his customers, according to previously published reports.

In January of 2015, he pleaded guilty in Clearfield County on two, separate cases to felony counts of deceptive business practice, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and theft by deception. Prior to that on Aug. 27, 2013, he pleaded guilty to deceptive business practices.

He pleaded guilty to two cases with the same charges in Jefferson County.

Grenier’s ex-wife, Brenda Grenier is charged with 30 counts each of deceptive or fraudulent business practices, theft by deception, and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and two counts of theft by unlawful taking in one case and with one count each of deceptive business practices, theft by deception and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds in two other cases.

Brenda Grenier was identified as the secretary and treasurer of Grenier Enterprises Inc. as well as Crown Crest Cemeteries. In June of 2014, she withdrew $7,577.55 from the business account.

She admitted she took the funds because Edmund Grenier had stopped paying her a regular salary from the business. Brenda Grenier has not been associated with the day-to-day operation or maintenance of the business since 2011, according to the criminal complaint.

State police at Clearfield

• State police received a report about an incident of criminal mischief that occurred Monday or Tuesday on Barrett Road in Woodland. During the incident, someone allegedly damaged a window in a loader that belonged to PennDOT. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Clearfield at 814-857-3800.
• State police received a report about an incident of terroristic threats that occurred Wednesday on Roy Mays Rod in Pike Township. During the incident, a Fallentimber man allegedly contacted the victims via phone and threatened to burn down their residence with both of them inside. Charges have been filed against him through the district court, state police said.
• State police received a report about an incident of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct that occurred Tuesday in the area of Roy Mays Road in Pike Township. During the incident, a Fallentimber man went to the victim’s residence and allegedly broke a window molding of her truck and struck the windshield, which caused a crack. A citation was filed against him through the district court as a result of the incident, state police said.

State police at Philipsburg

• State police responded to an all-terrain vehicle crash Tuesday on Bi Road in Union Township. Further, a teen was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the ATV. It went off the west side of the roadway where it struck a tree and rolled down an embankment. He was not wearing a helmet and had head injuries; he was taken to Altoona for treatment, according to state police. Summary ATV citations are currently pending at this time.
• State police received a report about the theft of services Tuesday on Ardery Hollow Road in Huston Township. During the incident, a Julian man’s garbage was allegedly found in a township dumpster.

Clearfield Borough

• Police received a report about a male who was walking in the middle of the roadway along East Market Street. Further, police located the male and advised him of the complaint.
• Police received a report that a bicycle was stolen from a Park Avenue address.
• Police responded to the intersection of Turnpike Avenue and Nichols Street for a disabled vehicle. Upon arrival police found that the vehicle was out of gas, and they were able to move it from the area.
• Police received a parking complaint that occurred along Clearfield Street.
• Police had sum of money turned into them after it was located along West Market Street. The owner may call the office and provide information about the money, police said.

Lawrence Township

• Police assisted a motorist on River Road.
• Police received a complaint from a business on Route 879 in reference to a credit card dispute. It was handled by police.

CLEARFIELD – A Curwensville man charged with arson pleaded guilty to lesser charges Wednesday during centralized court.

Michael Guy Little, 54, was charged by the Pennsylvania State Police after he tried to set fire to a trailer at the Lash Trailer Court in Pike Township.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were called to the residence on June 13 at 4:25 p.m. Little was sitting at a picnic table and appeared to be intoxicated.

When asked what happened, he said “I messed up big time. I’m gonna be in big trouble.” He admitted he had tried to light the trailer on fire twice, police said.

The victim explained to the troopers that she returned home to find Little drunk. He started an argument with her during which she told him she was leaving. He tried to stop her several times before lighting a pile of her clothes on fire.

She was able to get the clothing outside, but as she did this, he tried to light other portions of the trailer on fire. He told her he was going to burn it down, she said. He managed to light a portion of the ceiling, but she was able to extinguish the fire.

At his preliminary hearing Wednesday, Little pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct in addition to a summary dangerous burning charge. He must pay fines and costs totaling $604.50 and he must serve two years probation.