Burglary Suspect Denies He's Part Of Gang

One of three men accused of a home burglary denied accusations he's part of an organized crime group or responsible for any burglaries or robberies.

"I'm not part of a gang," said Maksim Illarionov.

Illarionov, Dmitriy Litvinov and Alexei Semionov were arrested Wednesday after police said they caught the trio in possession of stolen goods and stolen weapons after they allegedly burglarized homes in a State College neighborhood.

Some of the stolen weapons, including assault-style rifles, were stolen from the Erie area.

A task force was formed in the wake of four armed robberies in Centre County in recent weeks, and the group is investigating if there is a connection to the three suspects.

"There's a lot of evidence to go through," said State College Police Chief Tom King.

Police spent Wednesday searching Illarionov's home and other homes linked to the three suspects. Police said they recovered an AK-47 hidden in Litinov's mother's home.

The three men are being held in jail on $800,000 bond each. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 10.

Stay with WJACTV.com and WJAC-TV News for continuing coverage.

Previous Stories: March 4, 2010: Three Men Arrested In State College Burglary; Assault Weapons Seized February 23, 2010: Police Investigating Another Armed Robbery In Centre County February 18, 2010: Violent Crime Surge, Police Investigating Two Centre County Armed Robberies February 15, 2010: Centre County Police Seek Armed Robbery Eyewitnesses February 15, 2010: Centre County Police Investigating Two Armed Robberies; Assailants Remain At Large