South Franklin man charged in Claysville break-ins
A South Franklin Township man was charged Wednesday by Donegal Township police with criminal mischief and criminal trespass for allegedly breaking into two Claysville businesses last November, doing more than $70,000 in damage.
Brandon M. Champe, 21, of 510 Interest Lane, allegedly broke into the businesses about an hour before he was caught inside a nearby home, where the resident held him at gunpoint until police arrived.
Champe is accused of breaking into Claysville Animal Care, 228 Main St., and Redemption Coffee House, 224 Main, about 11:45 p.m. Nov. 13.
A woman walking her dog on Main called police after seeing a man breaking into the coffee house. She was able to give police a description of the man, who ran down an alley to Railroad Street.
About an hour later, police received a call from a resident of Petroleum Avenue who was holding an intruder at gunpoint. The intruder, who was identified as Champe, matched the description given by the witness.
Police said the door was broken at the veterinary office. Once inside, Champe allegedly did extensive damage to cabinets and electrical equipment. The damage was set at $67,773. He also allegedly broke a door at the coffeehouse and entered an office, doing about $7,000 in damage.
Champe reportedly told police he had been out drinking. Police said he also told them he remembered entering the door at the veterinary clinic but did not remember anything else until he came out of the coffee shop and saw the woman walking her dog.
The charges against Champe were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward. He faces a May 21 preliminary hearing at Ward’s office.
Champe also is scheduled to appear May 8 before Washington County Judge Valarie Costanzo for a possible plea on charges of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and public drunkenness stemming from the incident on Petroleum. A charge of burglary was withdrawn by the prosecution at the preliminary hearing.