From staff reports
A man and woman are facing charges for stealing a truck and breaking into a campsite in President Township.
Franklin state police said Kessley Nicholas Winans, 27, who is listed in court dockets as a transient, stole a 1994 Ford Ranger at a Oil Creek Township residence and drove away with it accompanied by Ronette Nichols, 32, of Titusville, at 4:45 a.m. Thursday.
A rifle and a pistol with ammo were in the truck when it was stolen, police said.
Winans and Nichols used crystal methamphetamine before going to sleep in the upper loft sleeping area of the camp, police said.
Police said the campsite owner arrived at 7 a.m. Friday and saw the stolen truck parked behind his camp so he called police. Troopers said they found Winans and Nichols asleep in the loft of the camp.
Police said they also found a syringe on the bed that Winans said was his and a small, clear baggie containing what is suspected to be crystal methamphetamine when they searched Nichols’ property.
The two stolen guns were also found, police said.
Winans has been charged with felony counts of burglary-overnight accommodation with no person present, prohibited possession of a firearm, theft by unlawful taking of movable property, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass, a misdemeanor count of use-possession of drug paraphernalia and a summary charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Nichols is charged with felony counts of burglary-overnight accommodation with no person present, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass and misdemeanor counts of intent to possess controlled substance and use-possession of drug paraphernalia.
The two were arraigned Friday, and their preliminary hearings are scheduled Sept. 4 in Venango County Central Court.
