Man Faces Robbery, Burglary Charges

A man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery Wednesday afternoon in downtown State College.

State College Police were called at about 5:40 p.m. to a residence on the 500 block of West Beaver Avenue. According to a criminal complaint, police had earlier been to the same location for a civil dispute involving Brandon K. Thompson, 20, of Erdenheim, who had been a guest of a tenant who lived in one of the rooms in the building.

Thompson had reportedly stored his belongings in another room without permission of the landlord. Police said there was no way to verify ownership of the property and that an officer told Thompson the property would have to be claimed through civil court unless ownership could be verified. Thompson was advised not to enter the room again.

On Wednesday afternoon, the landlord entered the room, locked the door and began to take inventory of the property. Police said that Thompson then forced his way through the solid wooden door, breaking both the lock and the door. When the landlord attempted to call 911, Thompson allegedly took the phone from his hands and threw it on the floor, smashing the screen. 

When the landlord went to the ground floor of the building to get another phone, Thompson reportedly entered the room, removed multiple duffle bags and left. The landlord followed him at a distance and provided updates on his location to dispatchers.

Police apprehended Thompson in Thrush Alley, about 100 feet east of the residence. After Thompson was taken into custody, police said they inventoried the contents of the duffle bags and found 21.7 grams of marijuana inside.

Thompson was charged with felony counts of robbery, burglary and criminal trespass, two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and one misdemeanor count of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

He was arraigned Thursday morning before District Judge Steven Lachman and was unable to post $100,000 straight bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16.

Thompson also is currently facing charges stemming from a July incident at a Patton Township Sheetz. In that case, Thompson allegedly punched a man he said owed him money in the back of the head and struck a woman in the face. While he was in custody, police said they found 15.8 ounces of marijuana in his possession.

He posted bail of 10 percent of $10,000 in that case and according to court records, waived a preliminary hearing on charges of possession with intent to deliver, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. His formal arraignment in that case is also scheduled for Aug. 16.