Man Accused of Causing More Than $12K in Damage to State College Parking Garage, Downtown Businesses

A Chester County man is accused of using a bolt cutter and a sling shot to cause thousands of dollars in damage during a vandalism spree last month in downtown State College.

Jacob G. Fichter, 22, was charged on Thursday with seven felony counts of criminal mischief.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by State College police, security video showed a man, who was driving a Toyota Sienna minivan, using a bolt cutter to damage the left exit gate at the Fraser Street Parking Garage in order to exit without paying at about 3:20 a.m. on Oct. 22. The same man returned later on a bicycle and used the bolt cutter to damage the other exit gate, police wrote.

Police tracked the minivan’s license plate to Fichter, and a search of driver’s license records showed he matched the individual seen in the parking garage video, according to the affidavit.

Later in the day on Oct. 22, police fielded calls from six downtown businesses that had glass doors or storefront windows damaged, including Jamaica Junction, Armenara Plaza, Sharkies Bar, VHS Skate Shop, Doggie’s Pub and Lionheart Fitness.

Police determined through video and witness statements that Fichter used a slingshot to damage the windows between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., according to the affidavit

Total damages to the businesses and parking garage were at least $12,757, police wrote.

Fichter was arraigned on Thursday afternoon by District Judge Don Hahn, who set unsecured bail at $105,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 20.