23-05-2025
Police: State College teens charged in stolen school trucks, vape shop burglary attempt
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Two teenagers are facing a list of felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly stealing school district vehicles, attempting to burglarize a downtown business, and damaging neighborhood homes with a BB gun, according to police.
Norman Paul Ghaner, 18, of Boalsburg, and Cameron Mojica Goodman, 18, of Port Matilda were identified through school surveillance footage in connection to the May 17 theft of two State College Area School District trucks, according to the criminal complaint.
Ghaner is currently free on $7,500 unsecured bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 28 before Magisterial District Judge Casey M. McClain, court records show. Goodman's case is listed as inactive as of May 23.
According to the criminal complaint filed by State College Police, surveillance video from State College Area High School showed three males, Ghaner, Goodman, and a 16-year-old juvenile, approaching parked vehicles on the evening of May 17. The trio put on ski masks before stealing a white 2012 Ford truck and a red 2005 Ford F-450 dump truck. Ghaner was identified as the driver.
The same night, the white 2012 Ford truck was seen returning to the high school, where the passenger exited, stole the red 2005 Ford F-450 dump truck, and both trucks were then driven from the scene, according to the criminal complaint.
In the early morning hours of May 19, police say Ghaner and Goodman attempted to break into Smoke Valley, a vape shop on East College Avenue. According to the affidavit, the teens shattered the glass door but were unable to gain entry.
The teens later parked at Mount Nittany Middle School and were seen entering another parked vehicle before fleeing the area in one of the stolen trucks.
At approximately 1 a.m. that morning, a State College officer spotted the white 2012 Ford truck on Discovery Drive and attempted a traffic stop. Police say Ghaner, again identified as the driver, fled at high speed, ultimately abandoning the vehicle and running away on foot. The vehicle was left in drive, according to the complaint.
Later that day, police interviewed the 16-year-old involved, who admitted to his role and identified Ghaner and Goodman as co-conspirators. He told police the group had walked from Weis Markets to the high school, took the first vehicle, and later returned to steal the second.
According to the affidavit, he also confirmed the group's involvement in the attempted burglary at Smoke Valley and a separate vandalism incident involving a BB gun. Police say two homes on Logan Avenue and West Foster Avenue had windows damaged by pellets, with repairs estimated to exceed $500. A witness reported seeing a white work truck, matching the description of the stolen vehicle, fleeing the scene.
Neither Ghaner nor Goodman have valid driver's licenses, and police say none of the teens had permission to operate school district vehicles.
Ghaner is charged with felony theft, conspiracy, burglary, and receiving stolen property, as well as misdemeanor fleeing from police and corruption of minors. Additional summary charges include driving without a license and criminal mischief, according to court records.
Goodman faces a similar set of charges. His preliminary hearing date has not been listed.
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