A Philipsburg man is facing felony theft charges after police say he stole a work van off a State College road.
William Tony Wilson Thomas, 36, has been charged with two felonies: stealing and receiving stolen items, according to court documents.
According to a criminal affidavit, police were dispatched to the corner of S. Pugh Street and E. Calder Way on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m., to investigate a stolen car report. The victim reportedly told police that his unlocked white Chevrolet work vehicle had been parked along E. Calder Way and was stolen while he was working in a nearby business. He claimed he fled the building and witnessed it being driven away.
According to the complaint, investigators began following the stolen van using cameras to locate the suspect, who was described as a man dressed in all black, sporting a tan hat and bright blue sandals.
The vehicle was eventually discovered after a “be on the lookout” was issued, and troopers stopped it on I-99 near Altoona. Thomas was then arrested and placed in prison. Police say he was wearing the same clothes that were spotted while searching the camera systems.
Thomas was arraigned on Tuesday, with bail set at $40,000. He is currently incarcerated in Center County Prison.
Judge Steven F. Lachman will conduct a preliminary hearing on October 21.
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