OAKLAND TWP., Pa. (EYT) – An Erie man is behind bars for allegedly taking a safe containing $60,000.00 in cash and approximately $100,000.00 of jewelry from an Oakland Township residence.
Court documents indicate the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 38-year-old David Anthony Santia Jr., of Erie.
According to a criminal complaint, around 3:00 p.m. on October 6, Franklin-based State Police were dispatched to a residence on State Route 417 in Oakland Township for a report of a theft after a known victim reported she was informed by her neighbor that someone had been inside her house.
The complaint indicates the initial investigation found that a gun safe and a fire box had been removed from the residence. Police then spoke to the victim again, and she reported the gun safe contained $60,000.00 in cash along with approximately $100,000.00 of jewelry, as well as her passport.
When asked if she had any idea who might have been in her home, the victim reportedly told police that her ex-boyfriend, David Anthony Santia Jr., was supposed to be there doing masonry work for her. The victim told police that she had contacted Santia, and he admitted to taking the items from her home but said he was willing to return it if she didn’t call the police on him. However, Santia then called to bring back the items after saying he would do so.
According to the complaint, police then received a call from the victim’s neighbor around 7:48 p.m. on October 12, reporting that the victim asked them to call and inform police that Santia was at her residence. Police then proceeded to the scene and were able to take Santia into custody.
The complaint indicates the fire box and the jewelry were then located on the living room table in the residence, and the victim told police she believed all of her missing items were there, but she was not certain.
Santia reportedly told police that he did take the safe and was planning to bring it back sooner, but was afraid that he would be arrested.
Santia was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland at 10:45 p.m. on October 12, on the following charges:
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 3
Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on October 20, with Judge Kirtland presiding.
Court documents indicate Santia currently has four cases pending against him in Erie County with charges that include theft and receiving stolen property. His criminal record dates back to 2016 and includes several convictions for theft and forgery.
