Decker faces theft charges

JERROD DECKER

BY STACI WILSON

A man already charged with stealing nearly $100,000 in prescription pills from a Susquehanna pharmacy faces new charges stemming from a rash of thefts from vehicles last fall.

Jerrod Decker, 25, of Hallstead and New Milford, was charged Jan. 4 with 26 counts of receiving stolen property and another 26 counts of theft from a motor vehicle by Pennsylvania State Trooper Mark Keyes.

He waived his Jan. 6 preliminary hearing in New Milford District Court. Bail on was set on the latest charges at $10,000, or 10 percent cash equivalent. Decker is currently being held in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.

Prior to the Jan. 4 charges, Decker was already being held on $100,000 bail on burglary and drug charges.

In September and October 2010, state police reported a rash of thefts from vehicles in the Hallstead, Great Bend and New Milford areas.

According to the affidavit, on Nov. 4 police were assisting Susquehanna County detectives and probation officers at Decker’s Hallstead apartment. Several items reported stolen belonging to two separate people were recovered at the Franklin St. apartment.

When Decker was taken into custody Nov. 17, he admitted that he stole the items the police had found.

According to the affidavit, Decker told County Detective William Strong that he had entered about 100 cars but only took things he wanted out of some of the cars.

He was interviewed by Keyes on Dec. 29 at the county jail.

According to the affidavit, Decker told police he had gone into so many vehicles he could not remember them all nor could he remember all of the items taken.

Decker told the trooper he stole the items, including money, MP3 players, cell phones and other electronics, from the vehicles to support his drug habit, according to the affidavit.

He also said he only entered unlocked vehicles.

According to the affidavit, Decker also told police that Darryl Chaffee, 36, sometimes went with him.

Chaffee has also faces charges in connection with the Oct. 29 pharmacy burglary. He was arrested Nov. 4 in Broome County, N.Y., on drug charges.

Decker told police on a trip to New Milford, Chaffee entered an open garage and removed a chain saw.

The affidavit alleges Decker was involved in thefts from about 34 victims.