News

May 22, 2009

Plymouth man faces theft charges after purse-snatching arrest

Defendant also allegedly tried to sell stolen GPS unit in W-B Twp.

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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PLYMOUTH – A man wanted since February for peddling global positioning system units outside a Wilkes-Barre Township restaurant was captured after he allegedly stole a woman’s purse outside a Plymouth grocery store on Wednesday.

Brian Carl Spaide, 30, of Orchard Street, Plymouth, was charged with robbery and theft in connection with the theft of a purse outside Fetch’s Food Store, West Main Street, police said.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Plymouth police:

A woman placing groceries in her vehicle outside Fetch’s Food Store told police she saw Spaide acting suspiciously near the exit around 7:30 p.m. She witnessed Spaide grabbing a purse from a woman as she left the store.

Several bystanders, including a motorist, chased after Spaide, who dropped the purse and attempted to hide behind a home on West Main Street where he was detained by witnesses until police arrived, the criminal complaint says.

Police said the woman who had the purse stolen from her complained of a minor head injury.

In Wilkes-Barre Township, police accused Spaide and Jason Hollitt, 29, of standing outside La Tolteca restaurant, Mundy Street, asking patrons if they wanted to buy a GPS unit on Feb. 12. One of the solicited patrons was a constable who contacted police.

Spaide and Hollitt walked away from the restaurant and were stopped by police near John Heinz Drive. Police alleged in the criminal complaint that Spaide was in possession of suspected heroin hidden in a prescription bottle, according to the criminal complaint.

Police alleged in the criminal complaint that Hollitt was carrying several bags filled with sneakers, a video game system and clothing that were purchased at various stores in the Wyoming Valley Mall with stolen credit cards.

A piece of paper with personal information to the owner of the credits cards was found in Hollitt’s wallet, police said in the criminal complaint.

Spaide was further charged by township police on Thursday with criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property, drug possession charges. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $60,000 bail.

A Luzerne County judge issued an arrest warrant for Hollitt on Monday for failing to appear in county court on charges of forgery, identity theft, receiving stolen property and access device fraud, according to court records.

Hollitt is described as a white male, 6 feet tall, about 225 pounds, brown eyes and brown hair. His last known address was the Melody Motel, Wilkes-Barre.

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