NEW BETHLEHEM – A 48-year-old Mayport man, reportedly armed with a machete, faces multiple charges after allegedly going on a daylight vandalism and theft spree in downtown New Bethlehem this past Saturday morning.
According to court documents, at around 9:22 a.m. on Feb. 7, William M. Dickun III allegedly went up to the front door of the New Bethlehem Unimart along Broad Street, banging on the glass with a machete that had a blade of 14 to 16 inches.
When he entered the store, police said Dickun confronted an employee while still holding the machete, saying, “Did I scare you?” The employee fled to the back of the store, locking herself in the women’s restroom.
Police said Dickun then proceeded to take several packs of cigarettes, and left without paying.
Within 20 minutes of the first incident, Dickun allegedly used his vehicle to drive through the closed garage door at Key Beverage, also along Broad Street. The store was not open at the time. Once inside, Dickun allegedly took a case of Bud beer, valued at $29, and a case of Yuengling, valued at $24,50. Confronted by an employee, Dickun reportedly got back into his 2008 Jeep Liberty, and drove forward through the closed rear garage door of the business, fleeing the scene.
The incidents were recorded by security cameras atboth businesses, according to Southern Clarion County Regional Police Department Officer Stephen Mazik.
He was later taken into custody and arraigned before District Judge Jarah Lee Heeter. He was placed in the Clarion County Jail after failing to post the $250,000 bail.
Dickun was charged with felony counts of robbery and burglary, two felony counts of criminal trespassing, and misdemeanor counts of prohibited offensive weapons, reckless endangerment, simple assault, theft and receiving stolen property.
Charges were filed Feb. 7 with District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller.