State College police on Tuesday night arrested a man accused of stealing a car and a pickup truck, along with items from other vehicles in the borough.
Travis B. Armstrong, 41, of Cumberland County also fled from officers when he was spotted driving one of the stolen vehicles, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
A resident of Oak Pointe Circle reported at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday that he looked outside to see a man attempting to steal his 2023 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, which had a key inside and was parked in his driveway, police wrote. The man, later identified as Armstrong, drove off in the truck before the owner could confront him, according to the affidavit.
While interviewing the truck owner, an officer observed a Honda sedan parked nearby that was found to have been stolen from Marylyn Avenue. Inside the car, which had its driver-side window down and battery on, were various items, including golf bags, fishing gear and money, police wrote.
Moments after another officer arrived on scene, Armstrong drove toward them in a Toyota Tundra that the resident identified as his, according to the affidavit. After the officers pursued him, Armstrong allegedly got out of the truck and attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly taken into custody.
Armstrong had multiple items and cash on him that belonged to the owner of the pickup, police wrote. The owner of the Honda, meanwhile, confirmed that most of the items found inside were not his.
Police also found a Sheetz receipt in the car and a review of security video at the store showed Armstrong stealing a DoorDash food order, according to the affidavit.
Armstrong allegedly admitted to stealing both vehicles and opening five others to take the items found in the Honda. Asked why he did it, Armstrong only said that he “messed up,” police wrote.
He is charged with two felony counts each of theft and receiving stolen property, misdemeanor counts of fleeing an officer and evading arrest and a summary count of retail theft.
Armstrong was arraigned on Wednesday morning by District Judge Don Hahn, who set bail at 1% of $65,000. He is currently detained at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29.
