A 19-year-old Massachusetts man has been convicted for stealing money from students who lived in his Penn State dormitory.
A jury found Joseph Kucienski guilty of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The jury declared him innocent on three counts of burglary.
Prosecutors say Kucienski entered the other students’ rooms and removed cash from their wallets.
One of the victims set up his laptop computer to record what was happening. When that student watched the recording he reportedly saw Kucienski take money from his wallet. When questioned by Penn State University Police, Kucienski admitted to the crimes and signed a written confession.
According to prosecutors, Kucienski testified that he simply needed money and took it — even though he had a blank check from his father. Kucienski will be sentenced on Dec. 23.
He could get up to nine months in jail but probation is also a possibility. However, the district attorney’s office says it will ask the judge to put Kucienski behind bars.
