New Bethlehem man charged with attempted theft and trespassing, due in court today

CLARION CO., Pennsylvania (EYT) – A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon for a New Bethlehem man charged with attempted theft and other charges in Porter Township.

According to court documents, a preliminary hearing will be held for the 61-year-old Timothy Eugene Slaterof New Bethlehem, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 before District Judge Jarah Lee Heeter on the following charges:

• Criminal attempt – theft by unauthorized removal of movable property, administrative offense 1
• Theft by unauthorized removal of movable property, administrative offense 3
• Defiant trespassing, misdemeanor 3
• Disorderly behavior summary

Slater is currently being held in the Clarion County Jail on $2,500 bail.

Case background:

Clarion Police Officer Kevin Shaffer, who filed the criminal complaint, said the incident occurred on September 19, 2024 in Porter Township, Clarion County.

At approximately 3:26 p.m. that day, Trooper Shaffer was dispatched to a report of a suspicious person at a property along Lumber Road. Before arriving at the scene, he was redirected to 400 Broad Street in New Bethlehem Borough, where the complainant was reportedly staying with the alleged suspect.

When Trooper Shaffer was on scene at 3:48 p.m., he interviewed the property owner who said he had been observing Timothy Slater on his trail cameras at 1:57 p.m. The property owner stated that Slater had a pair of hedge trimmers and was attempting to open a locked trailer on the property. He also pointed out that there were several “No Trespassing” signs posted on the property.

The property owner stated that Slater left the property prior to his arrival and that his son later observed Slater walking on Broad Street in New Bethlehem. Trooper Shaffer then interviewed Slater, who said he went to the property to retrieve his friend's chainsaw from the property owner. Slater said the friend told him the chainsaw was in the trailer and that a pair of bolt cutters could be found in the property owner's truck, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Slater admitted that he then went to the property and retrieved a pair of hedge trimmers from the back of the property owner's truck. He said he then tried to cut the lock but was unable to do so. Slater stated that he then left the property and made his way to town; However, he refused to provide the friend's name.

Through further investigation, Trooper Shaffer determined the identity of Slater's friend. The friend told Trooper Shaffer that he had not spoken to Slater in months.

Slater was arraigned before Judge Heeter on September 19, 2024.