Man Facing Multiple Theft Charges

A Bellefonte man is facing felony charges after alleged thefts from State College area Walmarts on three separate occasions.

Matthew J. Davis, 30, is facing three felony counts of retail theft and three misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property. Davis has four previous retail theft convictions — pleading guilty in each case — resulting in the felony grading, according to court documents.

According to criminal complaints filed by State College, on Feb. 24 a man and a woman entered the Walmart a 373 Benner Pike, placed $45 worth of items in a shopping cart and left without paying. On April 9, the pair reportedly entered the store again and were recognized by by asset protection staff from video surveillance of the earlier incident.

Staff monitored the pair as they pushed carts around the store and gathered items. Davis then headed past the registers and to the exit, where he was stopped in the vestibule by a staff member.

Police said the staff member asked Davis for a receipt and he held up a piece of paper, which the staff member told him she needed to check. He allegedly then left without the cart or merchandise. The value of the merchandise recovered by the staff member was $331 and the incident was captured on surveillance video.

After police sent out a press release with photos of the suspects, a woman went to the police station and reportedly admitted to being involved in the April 9 incident. She and a mutual friend identified Davis as the male suspect, and police also received several other tips identifying him.

Patton Township Police, meanwhile, received a report from staff at the Walmart at 1665 N. Atherton St. that on April 8 a man and a woman had entered the store, placed merchandise in carts and walked out without paying. Aware of the State College Police investigation, a Patton Township officer interviewed the woman, who identified herself and Davis as the North Atherton Street suspects, according to a criminal complaint.

Davis was arraigned on Monday before District Judge Carmine Prestia with straight bail set at a total of $3,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 7.