Alleged burglar located by state police in Philipsburg

Philipsburg, Pa. — A distinctly-colored skateboard helped connect a Centre County man to a burglary and package theft.

Noah Daniel Fry, 24, of Houtzdale was allegedly carrying a backpack and black skateboard as he took a package off a front porch last week, Pennsylvania State Trooper Jonathan Hodges said. Police found the same skateboard inside a home Fry was linked to, Hodges added.

On Sept. 20, a neighbor called police on Fry, who allegedly was on camera stealing a package and entering another apartment, according to the complaint. The package reportedly belonged to an elderly woman who lives at the complex.

According to Hodges, Fry was seen in the video taking a single package from the front porch. A witness said the only way to get on the property was through the building’s front door. Fry is seen leaving through the front door after taking the package, but he’s never seen entering the complex through the door. A witness said they were suspicious of how Fry got into the building. Fry is allegedly carrying a backpack and black skateboard with orange wheels in the surveillance video.

A second video showed Fry attempting a similar theft on Sept. 16, according to Hodges. Fry was allegedly carrying the same backpack and skateboard in the video. He placed them on the ground and picked up two packages on the front porch. Fry then noticed the camera and left without taking anything.

A witness confronted Fry as he attempted to leave the property, Hodges said.

A second victim was interviewed on Sept 20 after the second break-in, Hodges wrote in the report. They showed a back window to their apartment Fry allegedly entered through. A lamp was damaged inside the apartment. Investigators were shown a roof ledge leading to the window. Palm and fingerprints were on the outside of the ledge, according to Hodges.

The victim gave police a list of items Fry allegedly took from the apartment. He said Fry did not have permission to enter the home.

Through their investigations, police learned Fry was on bail for a burglary in Clearfield County at the end of August. Fry allegedly stole several firearms. A detainer was issued by state police after the discovery.

Police acted on a tip and went to a home in the 200 block of North Tenth Street in Philipsburg, according to the complaint. Fry was not located, but police saw a black skateboard with orange wheels at the home. Surveillance video provided by property owners showed Fry coming and going from the residence. Fry is not on the lease and should not be at the property, according to Hodges.

Fry is being charged with criminal trespassing and theft by unlawful taking. He is being held at the Centre County Prison after being denied bail by Judge Gregory Koehle. Fry is scheduled to appear before Koehle for a preliminary hearing next month.

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