Yesterday 29 year old Andrew Booker of Altoona waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Blair County Court, sending all charges against him to the court of common pleas. Booker is facing numerous felony charges including theft by unlawful taking and conspiracy. The charges were brought against Booker earlier this year after a nearly yearlong investigation into a staged burglary at the Altoona home of his grandfather-in-law. Taken was the elderly man’s life savings of nearly $2 million dollars that he kept in a safe. Authorities report that the low end of what Booker spent was around $140,000. The investigation also revealed that most of the $2 million stolen has not been recovered. Booker remains in the Blair County Prison on $350,000 bail. His formal arraignment is scheduled for April 19th.
