Stolen handgun, cash burglary lead to charges in separate cases in Lycoming County district courts
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Motorist faces felony charge after stolen gun found in his car
What started simply as stopping a motorist for a minor vehicle code violation ended up with the driver being charged with a felony after state police discovered a stolen handgun in his 2014 Buick Lacrosse, according to an affidavit filed at the office of District Judge Gary Whiteman. James Theodore Crawford Jr., 20, of Milton, was stopped in the 200 block of Hastings Street in South Williamsport about 2:20 a.m. on July 18 because a license plate light was not functioning, police said. The troopers detected a very strong odor of marijuana coming from Crawford after he got out of the car. The driver admitted that the last time he smoked marijuana was "days ago," the court document stated.
Showing "numerous signs of controlled substance impairment," Crawford was detained for suspected DUI. The troopers asked consent to search the car, but he refused, police said. He told them that there was "a small amount of marijuana" in the Buick, and, according to the affidavit, "he was unsure why they would want to search the vehicle just for that." He was taken into custody, but he refused to submit a blood sample once he arrived at the DUI center.
The Buick was impounded and the troopers obtained a search warrant in order to go through the car. Inside the vehicle they found not only a small amount of marijuana, but a stolen handgun as well as some ammunition, police said. Crawford was arraigned before District Judge Gary Whiteman on a felony charge of receiving stolen property as well as DUI, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and two traffic offenses. He was released on $25,000 bail.
Waterville man charged with burglary
David M. Helminiak, 70, of 147 Third St., Waterville, has been locked up on charges of stealing an undetermined amount of cash in a burglary at the R&J Excavating property, 1226 Route 44 North, in Porter Township on July 21, according to Lycoming Regional police.
Following his arraignment before District Judge Kirsten Gardner on felony charges of burglary and criminal trespassing as well as theft, receiving stolen property and loitering, Helminiak was committed to the Lycoming County Prison, but has since been released on $35,000 bail.