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Three charged in True Value burglary

Three Altoona residents were jailed Saturday after allegedly stealing items valued at up to $20,000 Friday morning from Fiore True Value on Sixth Avenue, court documents state.

Jonathan M. Maldonado-Gonzalez, 31, Justin-Ashley W. Maldonado, 38, and Daniel M. Rizza, 21, were arraigned Saturday by Magisterial District Judge Fred Miller on charges related to theft, firearms and possession of drugs with the intent to deliver, according to court documents.

After learning about a burglary at Fiore True Value, Altoona police used surveillance footage from a nearby gas station to determine the make and model of a vehicle suspected to be involved in the theft, police reported.

While searching for additional footage for the investigation into the thefts, police spotted a vehicle resembling the one seen in the footage and initiated a traffic stop Friday after the driver allegedly parked illegally along the road, a criminal complaint stated.

Police reported Maldonado-Gonzalez was driving, though he did not possess a valid driver’s license, and Rizza was a passenger.

Rizza was taken into custody without incident, but Maldonado-Gonzalez required assistance to exit the vehicle, because of a mobility disability, a criminal complaint stated.

The victim responded to the traffic stop location and identified several items in plain view that were stolen from the store, police reported.

In addition to the identified stolen items, police noted they discovered methamphetamine, marijuana and about $3,200 in the truck, which Maldonado-Gonzalez claimed, and about $1,740 on Rizza’s person.

During an interview, Rizza admitted to taking part in the thefts and said he was assisted by the brothers, Maldonado and Maldonado-Gonzalez, court documents stated.

Rizza allegedly had learned where the store keys were kept, and Friday morning, Rizza met with the two brothers to discuss a plan to steal items from the store, including a vehicle. During multiple trips to the store, they loaded numerous items and at least $7,400 in cash into a vehicle to divide among themselves, police reported.

The stolen vehicle was allegedly taken by Maldonado, but Rizza said he didn’t know where, a criminal complaint stated.

Rizza said he and Maldonado-Gonzalez made a trip to a storage unit located on Sixth Avenue after discovering a key ring inside the business with a key for a storage there, police reported.

The two were exiting the storage facility when police initially recognized their vehicle.

While talking with police, Rizza also mentioned a firearm, which was allegedly used in a shooting near Altoona Area High School, located in the residence where he was staying with Maldonado-Gonzalez, court documents stated.

When following up on the lead, police observed several items on the porch matching the description of those reported stolen from True Value, including power tool cases, a miter saw partially contained in a True Value garbage bag and a True Value basket containing a label maker.

After compiling a search warrant, police returned to the home and discovered two handguns in Maldonado-Gonzalez’s possession, despite prior convictions preventing him from owning a firearm, as well as about 63 grams of marijuana, 50 grams of meth and $4,900 in cash all located in safes in Maldonado-Gonzalez’s bedroom, police reported.

Maldonado-Gonzalez’s brother, Maldonado, was arrested, and police discovered $1,200 in cash on him, court documents stated.

All three are currently detained at Blair County Prison, according to court documents.

Cash bail for the Maldonado brothers was set at $100,000 each, and Rizza’s cash bail was set at $75,000.

Preliminary hearings for all three defendants were scheduled for May 19 with Magisterial District Judge Ben Jones, court documents state.

Mirror Staff Writer Ike

Fredregill is at 814-946-7458.

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