Two Arraigned in Connection with State College Burglary, Fraud Case

Three State College-area men are facing felony and misdemeanor charges after a reported burglary-and-fraud incident last month, State College police said.

District Judge Carmine Prestia on Monday arraigned Devonne B. McLaughlin, 22, and Jackie Lee Hunter Jr., 23, both of 231 S. Atherton St., in connection with the matter.

A warrant has been issued for a third man, identified as Guilber Mercado-Mojica, 23, of 458 Mallard Ave.

According to a criminal complaint, McLaughlin told police he and Mercado-Mojica entered a residence at 245 E. Hamilton Ave. late Feb. 18 or early Feb. 19. There, McLaughlin told police, they took a variety of property — including credit cards — and took the items back to Hunter’s apartment, the complaint shows.

The items — namely electronics, according to a police report — were worth $6,530, theft victims told police. Soon after the break-in, fraudulent charges at local Wal-Mart stores and the North Atherton Street Denny’s were logged on four of the stolen credit cards, according to statements to police.

An attempt to use a fifth stolen credit card at a Wal-Mart was unsuccessful, a victim told police.

Police said all three suspects — McLaughlin, Mercado-Mojica and Hunter — illegally used the stolen credit cards. Hunter was not directly involved in the burglary but kept stolen property at his residence, according to the criminal complaint.

Charges lined up against Mercado-Mojica and McLaughlin include burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and forgery, court documents show. Hunter is facing charges of forgery, access device fraud, receiving stolen property, and theft by deception.

McLaughlin and Hunter were released Monday on $5,000 unsecured bail, police said. The next step in the court process is a preliminary hearing.

A warrant for Mercado-Mojica remained active.

Earlier coverage

• More Than $6,000 in Possessions, Credit Card Reported Stolen in State College (Feb. 20, 2012)