SUGARCREEK, Pa. (EYT) – A Franklin man faces burglary charges after he and two male juveniles allegedly broke into a store in Sugarcreek Borough to steal cigarettes.

According to a criminal complaint, police responded to a report of a commercial burglary alarm at approximately 4:20 a.m. on August 1, at a store along Rocky Grove Avenue in Sugarcreek Borough and received information from a witness of “3 kids outside” who smashed the window, ran in, stole cigarettes, and other things and then fled toward Franklin.

Police arrived to find the store’s front window smashed out and “general ransacking in the counter area.” A store video shows three males break the window, enter the store, and place cigarettes and other items into a backpack before fleeing on foot, the complaint states.

Police apprehended a juvenile male who had a black backpack containing about $152.00 in cigarettes and other smoking items in it. He was identified by store video and allegedly admitted being in the store, providing police with names of accomplices which were later revealed to be false, the complaint indicates.

Around 10:35 p.m. on August 1, Cody David Culver, 19, of Franklin, appeared at the Franklin State Police barracks and was interviewed by police, allegedly saying he was involved in the break-in, according to the complaint.

Culvery allegedly identified two juveniles also involved and said “he was walking with them and they began talking about breaking into the store. He tried to talk them out of it, and they put bandannas on their faces and one broke the glass, and all three of them entered the store,” the complaint continues.

Culver allegedly said one of the juveniles jumped over the counter and grabbed cigarettes while the other held the bag and filled it up, and he “just stood there,” according to the complaint.

Culver also allegedly told police the juvenile who was apprehended “came to his house after being released and woke him up to tell him he got picked up and questioned but did not tell on him and provided police fake names,” the complaint states.

Culver allegedly said “it was bothering him that they did that so he turned himself in,” the complaint continues.

Based on the information gathered during the investigation, Trooper Orrvick, of PSP Franklin, requested a warrant of arrest be issued for Culver.

According to online court documents, Culver was arraigned at 1:40 a.m. on August 2, before District Judge Andrew Fish at District Court 28-03-01:

Culver faces the following charges:

• Burglary of a building not adapted for overnight accommodation with no person present, first-degree felony
• Theft by unlawful taking of movable property
• Criminal mischief causing damage to property, summary

Bail was set at $35,000.00 unsecured.

A preliminary hearing has been set for 8:30 a.m. on August 12 in Venango County Central Court.