CHERRYTREE TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A 38-year-old man is facing felony charges after he allegedly stole $17,000.00 from his father’s residence located on Breedtown Road, in Cherrytree Township, Venango County.

According to court documents, the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 38-year-old Martin Jack Patterson, of Erie.

A known male victim related that over the span of April 5 to April 10, a total of $17,000.00 was taken from his gun safe in the basement of his residence located on Breedtown Road, according to a criminal complaint.

The victim stated that the safe is always locked and set at zero, and only three people have the combination to it, himself and two of his sons — a known male and Martin Patterson.

The victim stated that he noticed $15,000.00 missing from the safe on Thursday, April 5. The victim related that communication between him and Martin was whenever Martin would stop by the property, or they would talk on the phone. However, after the first day that the victim noticed money missing, he could not contact Martin by phone. The victim determined that his other son was not the actor. The victim’s other son stated that he attempted to contact Martin, as well, with negative results, the complaint states.

The victim said that on April 10, he saw Martin at a residence on Breedtown Road, another property affiliated with the family farm, and confronted him about the missing $15,000.00. The victim said that Martin became belligerent, yelling about people stealing from him. The victim said that Martin never denied nor confirmed that he took the $15,000.00. Martin then left on foot, the complaint indicates.

The victim went back to his residence where he found an additional $2,000.00 missing from the safe, so he drove the area looking for Martin with negative results, according to the complaint.

Based on the investigation, Patterson was arraigned at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 26, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on the following charges:

– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 3

Unable to post $20,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, with Judge Fish presiding.