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NY man charged in theft of vehicle

A New York man is in jail after he allegedly drove a stolen car from Buffalo to Pittsburgh to Tionesta, left looking for a strip club, and ran out of gas in southern Warren County.

Dante G. Collier, 33, of Kenmore, was taken to Warren County Jail after failing to post $50,000 bail on a charge of receiving stolen property.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, a suspicious vehicle was reported Friday morning on Althom Road. Pennsylvania State Police responded, finding the vehicle — with a plate and VIN that matched those of vehicle reported stolen in Buffalo — unoccupied.

About two hours later, police were called to the Rouse Estate for a man who was disoriented and may have been in need of assistance.

They found Collier and “discovered that Collier was somehow involved with the subject vehicle,” according to the affidavit.

Upon questioning, Collier told police he had taken the white Hyundai from an auto parts store in Buffalo on Tuesday.

He told police he drove to UPMC Hospital near Pittsburgh.

After that, he drove to Tionesta and spent most of Wednesday there, according to the affidavit.

“Collier then related that he had left Tionesta (at about 9 p.m. Wednesday) and was in search of a strip club when the car ran out of gas,” according to the affidavit.

He told police he stayed with the car overnight, trying to build a fire next to it during the night.

Collier left the car and started walking at 3:13 a.m., police said. He told police he saw them driving toward the car while he was walking away from it.

Collier was arraigned Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Todd Woodin. A preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 20.

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