Penn State Man Was Growing Pot in Apartment

Friday's Frat Boy News Pause for the Cause

Penn State Univeristy (compiled by the Centre Daily Times)
Borough police working in plain clothes early Wednesday morning say they caught a man in the act of vandalizing buildings and Dumpsters with graffiti.

John C. Sittler, 20, of 126 E. Fairmount Ave., Apt. 11, is facing a long list of charges from at least 10 graffiti incidents Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. He also faces drug charges after police said they found a marijuana-growing lab inside of this apartment after executing a search warrant, according to court documents.

"He was apprehended in the act by plain-clothed officers," said State College police Sgt. Chris Fishel. "The (graffiti) writing was distinctive to him and there is the possibility of charges from other departments."

Sittler was arraigned before District Judge Carmine Prestia on counts of criminal attempt, criminal trespass, violating the Controlled Substance Act, possessing instruments of crime, loitering and prowling at night, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and use of carts, trays, baskets and other containers. Sittler was jailed on $10,000 bail.

He was charged with receiving stolen property because the milk crate he was caught carrying spray paint in allegedly was stolen from Turner Dairy Farms, according to the criminal complaint.

Police first spotted Sittler near a fraternity at 501 S. Allen St., which had been tagged before, trying to find a way inside the vacant building, according to court documents.

He eventually left on foot and was nabbed by an officer in the 100 block of East Hamilton Avenue tagging a Dumpster with an officer only 25 feet away, according to the complaint.