SHAMOKIN - A Coal Township man allegedly told city police he was on a heroin bender when he stole money and more from vehicles to feed his habit.
Marquese Seger, 21, of 921 W. Mulberry St., said he rifled through 15 cars in both Shamokin and Coal Township between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9 and made off with a watch, an iPod, money, lottery tickets, birthday cards, gift cards and a purse, according to Cpl. Bryan Primerano.
Primerano said Seger was dressed in multiple layers of clothing and would switch from one outfit to another or would shed clothing to avoid being apprehended. It's alleged that he tried entering more vehicles but they were locked.
Seger was spotted in the 100 block of South First Street at 3:35 a.m. Thursday, acting suspicious and hiding behind a vehicle when he noticed police, according to a criminal complaint to be filed today at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. He was in possession of a knife, a flashlight and a purse.
Police took Seger into custody and interviewed him at the station. He had been recorded on camera stealing from a car in Shamokin on Jan. 5, police said, after which he allegedly admitted to additional thefts in the Fifth Ward, Bunker Hill, Ferndale and Springfield.
Seger said he was spurred to steal because he was using heroin and wanted to buy more, the complaint states.
He took police on the route he walked and identified nine vehicles from which he allegedly stole, police said.
Seger pleaded guilty on Dec. 30 to a misdemeanor theft charge related to a May 2012 arrest in Coal Township. Felony counts of theft and receiving stolen property were also filed in the case. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24 in Northumberland County Court.
He violated the terms of his bail and he was jailed Thursday at Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury. He faces 10 counts of theft and one count of loitering and prowling, all misdemeanors. An arraignment and preliminary hearing will be scheduled.