Franklin Man Behind Bars Following Burglary at Local Business

| October 3, 2019

SUGARCREEK BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – A Franklin man is facing felony burglary and related charges after he allegedly stole a couch, chair, and other items from an area business.

Court documents indicate the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 37-year-old Jacob Matthew Olson, of Franklin.

According to a criminal complaint, on Monday, September 30, Chief Robert Wenner, of the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department, was dispatched to a reported burglary at a location on Allegheny Boulevard, Franklin, Venango County.

The complaint notes that the owner of an area business reported that they had observed a male that matched the image on their security camera that was recorded during the burglary on September 30 across the street.

Chief Wenner responded to the location and made contact with the suspect individual, identified as Jacob Matthew Olson.

Chief Wenner explained to Olson that he was investigating a burglary and noted that Olson matched the description and had been caught on video, and then asked for identification. Olson said he had no identification but provided his name and date of birth. Chief Wenner then asked Olson if he had any weapons, to which Olson replied he did not. However, a pat down of Olson discovered he did have a knife. Olson’s clothing was soaked as though he had been outdoors in the rainy weather for an extended period of time, according to the complaint.

Chief Wenner then received a phone call from the police clerk advising that Olson had an outstanding warrant for his arrest from Magisterial District Judge Fish’s office. Olson was then advised he was being held on the outstanding warrant.

According to the complaint, Olson originally told Chief Wenner he had not been on the other side of the road, where the burglary occurred, but after Chief Wenner informed him of the security camera that captured his image around the building where it occurred, Olson changed his statement and said he had been around the building and dumpster. Olson stated he had been in the area to talk to a friend about using his truck to haul a couch since he was looking to purchase one. Chief Wenner then pointed out to Olson that it was a couch and chair, among other things, that had been stolen, and Olson did not respond.

The complaint notes the stolen items were located approximately 200 feet from where Chief Wenner encountered Olson and an additional witness was discovered to have received a phone call from Olson asking if he could haul a couch for him. The witness allegedly declined when Olson would not say where he had obtained the couch.

Chief Wenner then met the owners of the stolen property, who positively identified the items as belonging to the business that was burglarized.

Olson was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland at 1:50 p.m. on Monday, September 30, on the following charges:

– Burglary – Not Adapted for Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present, Felony 2
– Criminal Trespass-Break Into Structure, Felony 2
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Misdemeanor 1
– Possession of Instrument Of Crime With Intent, Misdemeanor 1
– Loitering And Prowling At Night Time, Misdemeanor 3
– Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor

Unable to post $15,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, with Judge Kirtland presiding.


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