NJ man stole semi-truck on I-80 in Clearfield County, troopers report

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — An alleged job went awry when a truck driver reported his semi-truck stolen in Sandy Township.

John Gonzalez, 43, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was arrested Monday evening and charged with receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

State police were called around 8 p.m. July 8 to the area of I-80 near mile marker 85 for a report of a stolen white semi-truck without a trailer attached, charges show.

While en route, troopers said they spotted a white semi-truck without a trailer getting off of I-80 and pulling into a Sheetz in Falls Creek. According to the criminal complaint, troopers were able to confirm the truck Gonzalez was driving was the one reported stolen.

Gonzalez claimed he was doing a job. He picked up the semi-truck and was headed to Ohio to pick up a trailer. Troopers noted in the complaint that he admitted the job seemed “fishy” and unusual, but he was more concerned with trying to make some money.

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Gonzalez was arraigned and placed in Clearfield County Prison with bail set at $75,000.

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