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City man charged with firearms theft

Man allegedly wrote bad checks to purchase multiple handguns

An Altoona man is facing felony theft charges after allegedly writing multiple bad checks to purchase firearms.

James I. Preusser, 46, was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Paula Aigner on several charges including theft by deception and writing bad checks, according to Blair County court documents.

Between August and December, Preusser allegedly purchased six handguns from a business in Duncansville by writing checks with insufficient funds in his bank account, police reported.

The business owner sent Preusser a letter in December, requesting the missing funds and granting him 15 days to provide the money, a criminal complaint stated.

There is no mention of Preusser’s response to the letter in the criminal complaint.

In all, Preusser allegedly bought three Glock 17 handguns, a Glock 48 handgun, a Sig Sauer 365 firearm and a Glock 45 handgun valued at nearly $3,800, as well as about $150 in general merchandise, police reported.

Court documents did not provide information about whether the firearms were returned to the business or seized.

Preusser was charged with 12 felonies as well as 12 lesser crimes and released on $75,000 unsecured bail, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday with Aigner.

Mirror Staff Writer Ike Fredregill is at 814-946-7458.

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