Suspect Allegedly Threatens Victims with Handgun, Steals Backpack from Student

A man was arrested on Thursday night after allegedly stealing a backpack from one State College resident and threatening two others with a handgun.

The police became aware of the incident at around 6:30 p.m. when they received a call after the suspect, later identified as State College resident William White, entered a residence at 623 W. College Ave. and took out a gun.

The caller told police that a black male entered the unlocked house and questioned him and his roommate about the location of a man named Mike. After they told him that nobody with that name lived at the house, he allegedly took out a silver handgun and told them, ‘You know I’m not playing.’

According to an affidavit filed by the State College police, the suspect then threatened the two residents, stating, ‘You know no one knows I’m here and I could put both of you to sleep and no one would know.’

White then left the apartment, at which point the call to police was made and a description of white was given as a black male in his mid-20s with a jean jacket, blue jeans, and a black backpack. A man matching that description was spotted at the corner of College Avenue and Gill Street and identified by his license as White.

The suspect was in possession of a silver handgun that was reported as stolen from Texas. The black NorthFace backpack, which held items with an approximate value of $1,500, was identified as stolen property that was taken earlier in the evening. A student told police that he returned from class, placed his backpack on the couch, and went upstairs. When he came back downstairs, the backpack was missing, and his roommate stated that he saw a man with a blue jacket walking away from the house with a black backpack.

White, who police said had a strong odor of alcohol and was slurring his speech, was charged with two felonies included first degree burglary and second degree criminal trespass. He also received misdemeanor charges of theft, terroristic threats, possessing instruments of crime, and receiving stolen property. White also received a public drunkenness citation.

The suspect is being held in the Centre County Correctional Facility in lieu of $150,000 bail, and police said that further charges are likely forthcoming as the investigation progresses.