Pottsville Man Accused of Stealing Bookbag Outside Schuylkill County Courthouse

A Pottsville man was arrested earlier this month for allegedly stealing a bookbag that was placed outside Schuylkill County Courthouse.

According to a criminal complaint, police in Pottsville were dispatched to the Courthouse on the morning of Oct. 1 for a reported theft.

At the Courthouse, police were informed by the victim that his bookbag was stolen while he was in court. The bag was left just outside the Public Entrance to the Courthouse.

During a recess in court, the victim said he went outside to retrieve his bag and noticed it was gone. The bag allegedly contained a wallet with $30 cash inside and a bottle of medication that police say had a value of more than $3,000.

Police then reviewed surveillance video from the Courthouse and spotted a man who arrived there at 11 a.m. that morning. Before entering the Courthouse, a bearded man wearing a dark, long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans is spotted standing near the bag and looking at it.

The man then enters the Courthouse. Video footage shows the man walk down the basement hallway of the Courthouse and speaking to an employee with Domestic Relations.

Later, police were able to speak to that employee who identified the suspect as Jody Schneider, 39, of Pottsville.

Police say more video footage shows Schneider exiting the Courthouse and snagging the bookbag as he leaves the scene on foot.

Schneider was later located hiding on a porch at 401 Main St. Police say during questioning, Schneider admitted to taking the bag and throwing it in the yard of an abandoned home on Third St.

Police then went to that abandoned home and located the bookbag. Inside, police say, the medication was found but the wallet was missing.

Schneider was arrested and arraigned before District Magistrate AJ Serina, who set bail at 10% of $1,000, which Schneider was unable to post and was sent to Schuylkill County Prison, where he remains.

A Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28 before District Magistrate James Reiley. There, Schneider will have to answer to charges of third-degree felony theft and receiving stolen property.