From staff reports
A Philadelphia man is facing felony charges of burglary and criminal trespass after taking items from local stores and eluding police Friday afternoon in Cranberry Township.
Franklin state police said Kyle N. Donahue, 24, was seen acting suspicious and carrying a backpack as he headed north on Route 257 away from the Cranberry Mall near Hoss’s restaurant.
When a state trooper identified himself, Donahue ran from the officer into a field and wooded area, police said.
He was later seen riding a mountain bike northbound on Horsecreek Road by another state trooper, police said.
When the officer attempted to make contact, Donahue drove the bike off the road, crashed into a ditch and ran into the woods, police said.
It was later found the bike was stolen from Faith Christian Academy off Horsecreek Road, police said.
Donahue then attempted to steal a Samsung cellphone and stole a pair of scissors from a garage off Airport Road, police said.
He was then spotted in the parking lot of Seneca Motors off Route 257, police said.
Donahue sprinted across the street, and after a brief foot pursuit and resisting arrest, he was taken into custody, police said.
While being interviewed about the incident, he admitted to committing multiple retail thefts from Walmart, Dunham’s Sports, Bon-Ton, Sears and Aldi, police said.
All of the clothing and most of the belongings he had been carrying were stolen from the stores during the day, police said.
Donahue said he ran from the initial officer because he didn’t want to go to prison, police said.
Charges filed against Donahue include two felony counts of burglary, a felony count of criminal trespass and misdemeanor counts of retail theft, theft by unlawful taking and resisting arrest/other law enforcement.
Donahue was arraigned on April 21, and placed in Venango County jail on $25,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled Wednesday in Central Court.
