State police arrest 3 in Hopewell theft
State police arrested three people early Saturday after they allegedly crashed a stolen all-terrain vehicle in Canton Township after crashing a sport-utility vehicle in Hopewell Township.
Morgan Shanicy Watson, 28, of 391 Cleveland Road, North Franklin Township; Patrick Lee Starr, 20, of 43 First St., Taylorstown; and Jesse Templeton, 27, of 1715 Morris St., South Strabane Township, were taken into custody after crashing the side-by-side ATV in the 100 block of Haines Road.
A resident of Haines told police the three knocked on his door about 2:15 a.m., telling him they had crashed. Starr then started walking through his yard, while the other two headed for the woods, the resident said.
Firefighters from Canton flagged down state police. They found Starr, who reportedly told troopers that the three had been in a previous crash on Poplar Road in Hopewell. Watson allegedly had been driving the SUV and was going too fast around a curve. The vehicle left the road and rolled over.
The three got out of that vehicle and had started walking when Templeton allegedly spotted the ATV behind a building in the 500 block of Poplar Road and stole it. Starr reportedly told police he did not want to get in but did not want to be left behind.
Templeton reportedly told police that Starr had been driving the sport-utility vehicle when it crashed, but police said Watson admitted to being the driver.
All three were arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy. Starr also is charged with underage drinking and possession of marijuana. Watson was released on $25,000 unsecured bond. Starr and Templeton were placed in Washington County Jail on $15,000 bonds. They are scheduled for an Oct. 6 preliminary hearing before District Judge Ethan Ward.