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Motorcycle theft yields charges

Wachter

Three Altoona men face felony charges after police say they stole a motorcycle and made threats in an attempt to keep witnesses to the crime silent.

Brian J. Roudabush, 34, George E. Wachter, 52, and Charles A. Holland, 45, are charged in connection with a Yamaha V Star 1100 that was stolen in late May from a building on the 100 block of Sixth Avenue, according to police.

The motorcycle’s owner reported it stolen May 25. He gave police several names, including those of Roudabush, Holland and Wachter as possible suspects.

Police learned Roudabush and Wachter were trying to start a motorcycle gang called the “Death Reaper.”

Police contend Roudabush, Holland, Wachter and two other men met up at the Sixth Avenue building. Roudabush had a key. After letting everyone into the building, Holland allegedly rode off on the motorcycle.

Roudabush

At one point, Roudabush and Wachter ordered two of the men in the group, who are not charged in the case, to go home.

One of the men said he learned the next day that Holland stole the motorcycle with Roudabush and Wachter following him to a camp owned by Wachter in the Flinton area.

The witness said Roudabush, Holland and Wachter laughed about stealing the motorcycle that had been taken apart with Holland installing a wheel from the stolen bike on his motorcycle.

Police said witnesses expressed concern about talking to police because Roudabush, Holland and Wachter had all ordered them not to tell anyone about the theft.

“Anyone who talks is dead,” a witness said he was told.

When questioned, Roudabush initially denied knowing anything about the stolen motorcycle, but when confronted about information police had received, he allegedly admitted he used his key to get into the Sixth Avenue building. Roudabush allegedly confirmed Holland had driven the motorcycle away and also saw the stolen motorcycle’s wheel on Holland’s motorcycle.

Roudabush also confirmed there had been conversations among the group that everyone was to “keep their damn mouth shut,” police wrote in the charges.

Roudabush and Wachter were each arraigned Friday morning on charges that include felony conspiracy, theft and intimidation of a witness by Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger. Bail for Roudabush was set at $40,000 cash, while Wachter’s bail is $100,000 cash.

Both men remain in Blair County Prison with a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 26 in Blair County Court.

Holland was not arraigned as of Friday.

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