Williamsburg Man Facing Multiple Theft Charges

By RICK BOSTON

Staff Writer

Cellphone records, tire tracks, security cameras, drones, and a prison interview have led to the arrest of a Williamsburg man on multiple theft charges that police said spans several counties.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Hollidaysburg State Police executed a search warrant on properties owned by Wayne A. Baker, 46, after a lengthy investigation led them to more than $300,000 worth of equipment stolen from area contracting businesses.

According to the police report, the investigation began on Feb. 24 when police were called to Grannas Brothers Quarry in Catharine Township for a report of a theft of mining belts. According to police, the quarry had installed cameras on the property because of prior issues with theft.

Police said the quarry manager had received an alert on his phone sent by the cameras and it showed two people in a UTV on the property at around 1:23 a.m. When the employee visited the area where the photos were taken, he noticed tracks in the mud that lead to Baker's property, which borders the quarry. Police noted that it looked like someone tried to rake over and cover the tracks.

Police said they did a state record check on the UTV and found that Baker owned a similar vehicle to the one in the photos.

In March, police obtained a search warrant for Baker's cellphone records and began tracking his movements through geolocation. Police said Baker's phone tracked in the areas and around the times equipment was stolen from various places.

Police said they investigated the theft of a root rake hydraulic head from a business along Fox Run Road, Catherine Township, and that Baker's cellphone record showed he was in the area at the time of the theft.

On June 17, police interviewed a source of information at the Blair County Prison who told them that he worked with Baker and said he was instructed by Baker to take items from the Grannas Bros. Quarry. Police said the source told them that he could provide information to about $500,000 worth of equipment and vehicles stolen during the past few years.

Police said the source asked them if they were investigating a theft at New Enterprise Stone & Lime. While police had no reports of a theft, cellphone records show Baker in the area of New Enterprise Stone & Lime on June 16 between approximately 10:30 p.m. and June 17 at approximately 12.30 a.m. when the business was closed. Police interviewed a site manager at New Enterprise, and it was discovered that a Mack dump truck was missing.

Police said they discovered that Baker had attempted to get a Mack dump truck inspected but the title he presented didn't match the vehicle. Police said a Carfax report showed the truck registered to NES&L.

Police said the source also provided information about two skid steers that were stolen out of Bedford County and a jackhammer-style attachment stolen out of Tyrone. The source of information told police he last saw the jackhammer attachment in the bed of a pickup truck in Baker's driveway.

On Sept. 8, police were notified about the theft of a hydraulic excavator from Mineral Point, Jackson Township in Cambria County. Police said phone records indicate that Baker was in that area around the time of the thefts. Video surveillance obtained from a nearby house showed a silver in color dump truck with a trailer and two other vehicles arrive at the scene of the theft at approximately 3:20 a.m. Phone records indicate Baker left the scene about ten minutes later and stopped several miles down the road. Police said this was done to strap down the stolen excavator.

Phone records showed the vehicles traveling on Route 22 and arriving in Hollidaysburg Borough at around 5:30 a.m. Surveillance video obtained from Donut Connection in Hollidaysburg showed a silver dump truck similar to Baker's truck hauling a large excavator.

Police also discovered that on Aug. 22, tools, a tractor wheel, weights, batteries, diesel fuel, and multiple sickle bar parts were reported stolen from Pennsylvania State Game Land 147. Phone records indicated that Baker was in the area at the time of the reported theft. Police said the thefts occurred between Aug. 18 and Aug. 22, and phone records show Baker in the area on Aug. 20.

When police executed the search warrant on Baker's Yellow Springs Drive residence and other properties, approximately $305,000 worth of equipment was seized, including: one skid steer valued at $15,000, one mini excavator valued at $35,000, two Bobcat skid steers valued at $30,000, one commercial air compressor valued at $15,000, mining belts and pulley valued at $2,500, a 1997 Mack dump truck valued at $25,000, a root rake backhoe attachment valued at $7,000, and a VIN stamp kit. Police said they also found suspected methamphetamine on Baker during his arrest.

Baker is facing 37 felony charges including theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, corruption, conspiracy, and running a chop shop, as well as multiple theft-related misdemeanor charges. He was arraigned by Hollidaysburg Magisterial District Judge Paula Aigner and committed to the Blair County Prison on $75,000 bond. Online docket records indicate Baker posted bail through a professional bail bondsman.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27, in front of Aigner.