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Clearfield County man faces 81 felony, misdemeanor counts

Welch-Selfridge accused of crimes in three counties

CLEARFIELD — A Clearfield County man is facing 17 felony charges for allegedly breaking into vehicles in Clearfield, Blair and Centre counties.

Eli William Welch-Selfridge, 19, was charged by state police on May 24 with 81 felony and misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking, criminal trespass, theft from a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.

Police say that between Sept. 3, 2018, and Oct. 7, 2018, Welch-Selfridge entered three unlocked garages and numerous unlocked vehicles where he removed “anything of value” including change, global positioning devices, tools and firearms.

One trooper obtained a photo of the suspect during his investigation. After he posted it on Facebook, the suspect was identified as Welch-Selfridge, according to the affidavit.

When he was questioned on Oct. 7, Welch-Selfridge reportedly provided a written statement saying he lost his job and thought a good way to make money was to break into cars. He allegedly admitted he stole items out of cars in Bigler and Philipsburg, including a camouflage rifle with a scope.

Later, another trooper recovered numerous things along a wooded area of Mutton Hollow Road in Bradford Township, which included many items reported stolen from Houtzdale, Philipsburg, Woodland, Grampian and Curwensv­ille. Among these items were two pistols.

When Welch-Selfridge was questioned again in December, he reportedly admitted he was addicted to pills and was stealing to feed his habit. He also allegedly admitted the items found along Mutton Hollow Road were ones he had taken.

In another interview in January, Welch-Selfridge was shown video surveillance footage from a residence near Tyrone.

The suspect in the video was wearing the same sweatshirt Welch-Selfridge was wearing when he broke into cars in Philipsburg. When asked if it was him in the video, he stated it was “more than likely me,” according to the complaint.

Welch-Selfridge waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court in Clearfield County.

His bail was lowered from $25,000 to $25,000 unsecured, and he was released, according to court documents.

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