Media resident suspected of purse stealing, trespass

A 24-year-old Media resident was arraigned before District Justice Ronald J. Horner Jan. 4 on charges of burglary, theft, possession of a controlled substance and other related charges, according to a State College Police Department news release.

The incidents began Jan. 2, according to the release, when the suspect, Hakim Vinson, turned in $65 in change at Uni-Mart, 718 Bellaire Ave., and stole the clerk's purse as she counted out the change. Early Jan. 4, officers were summoned for help as a female taxi driver was being assaulted by the same suspect, according to the release. The driver called on her radio for help until police arrived, according to the release.

Police took Vinson into custody, where he was found in possession of a controlled substance as well as numerous ID cards and personal checks of other people, according to the release.

These checks led police to the Bellaire Avenue apartment where Vinson is suspected of forcing his way into and living for several days while the students were on semester break, according to the release. The Uni-Mart clerk's purse was found in the apartment, according to the release.