Duo found in drug-laced stolen truck in Altoona, police report | WTAJ

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — A white truck stolen in Bedford County has been found in Altoona after being painted black, police said.

Matthew Daniel Barnes, 42, of Woodbury, and Shaina Marie Mauk, 33, of Osterburg, were arrested Friday, July 19, and charged with receiving stolen property, drug possession with intent and minor drug charges.


Matthew Daniel Barnes, 42 (Blair County Jail)

Altoona police spotted the duo in a black Chevy Silverado on Courtland Avenue around 4:30 p.m., according to the criminal complaint. Blair County 911 confirmed the truck had been reported stolen out of Bedford County when police conducted a traffic stop.

Police noted in the complaint that when they approached the truck, it appeared to have been spray-painted. They later discovered the truck was white when it was reported stolen from Ryan’s Service Inc. of New Paris.

Shaina Marie Mauk, 33 (Blair County Jail)

Barnes was asked to step out of the vehicle, the complaint states. When they did, officers saw a baggie hanging partially from his waistband that likely contained methamphetamine. Police also saw additional baggies on the seat and sticking out of a bag where Mauk admitted the letter was hers, the complaint states.

A search of the truck turned up eight zip-top bags of meth, weighing a total of about 29.5 grams (just over 1.04 ounces). Police noted that some of the bags were found in a container with Mauk’s ID and $198 in cash. In a backpack, officers said they found several smoking devices, a digital scale, baggies of residue and two cut straws.

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Mauk and Barnes were arraigned and booked into the Blair County Jail. Bail was set at $100,000 each.