OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — Felony theft charges have been filed against an Oil City man who allegedly stole a box truck from a local business.

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 27-year-old Blaise Xavier Detrich.

According to a criminal complaint, around 10:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 20, Oil City Police were dispatched to a local furniture store for a report of a stolen box truck.

Employees at the business reported the vehicle missing and told police they believed it was taken sometime before 2:30 a.m.

The complaint indicates police then saw the vehicle on the following day (Thursday, October 21) parked in front of the business with employees loading it. Police then spoke to the owner of the business who indicated the vehicle was located near a local ice cream shop the prior evening.

According to the complaint, the owner reported he had received a phone call from an unknown individual informing him the truck was parked at a residence and was still running. He proceeded to the residence and found the vehicle. He also told police that nothing appeared to be missing or wrong with the truck, so he just drove it home, but failed to notify police.

The complaint notes the owner also told police “his informants on the street” told him that it was Blaise Detrich that had stolen his truck. He reported that he also spoke to a known woman who told him that Detrich stole the vehicle.

Police then received a phone call from someone reporting that Detrich was at a residence on Lincoln Street. Police proceeded to the residence, where a female answered the door.

According to the complaint, when asked if Detrich was home, the woman hesitated, and as police asked about Detrich a second time, Detrich himself came down the stairs of the residence and was then taken into custody on a warrant for absconding from parole.

When asked about the truck, Detrich reportedly stated police he took it because “his life isn’t worth living sometimes, and it would be fun.”

The complaint indicates Detrich told police he took the truck sometime between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 20. He reported that he then dropped the truck off in a driveway because he heard what he thought was a gunshot. He indicated he was scared and “bailed out” of the truck and walked home.

Detrich was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland at 1:54 p.m. on October 22, on the following charges:

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

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

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 3, in Venango County Central Court with Judge Kirtland presiding.