Published: November 17, 2008 10:38 pm      

Crime-spree suspect heads to court

A Johnstown man accused of a summer crime spree in northern Cambria County and other counties now awaits trial on charges of stealing items including kerosene, hams and sausages.

Robert Edward Winrick, 44, of the 800 block of Rear Central Avenue is being held in the State Correctional Institution at Cresson.

All charges against him from various jurisdictions were consolidated and brought before District Judge Fred Creany in Ebensburg, where Winrick waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

No date has been set for his trial.

Troopers and borough police from various areas said they had become familiar with the white 1996 Chevy Corsica they said Winrick used and had alerted employees in gas stations and food stores to watch for it.

During one week in July, three thefts were reported in Patton and one each in Carrolltown, Hastings and Altoona.

Kerosene was taken in five of the incidents and ham, steak, sausages and a grocery basket in the other.

Police said that circulating a photo of Winrick helped to catch him.