Russian Men Charged With Armed Robbery Will Be Tried

Three Russian men charged in connection with a Centre County armed robbery will be tried.

Maksim Illariono, Dmitriy Litvinov and Alexei Semionov waived their right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

The men were arrested last week 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 taken from the Erie area, police said.

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.

Police searched 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. Officials said the investigation is ongoing.

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

Previous Stories: March 4, 2010: Burglary Suspect Denies He's Part Of Gang 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