A Pottsville man is facing felony burglary and trespassing charges following an incident earlier this month in Norwegian Township.
According to State Police-Schuylkill Haven, Troopers were dispatched to Ann St. for a report of a burglary in progress. As Troopers arrived, they were approached by a man walking toward them with his hands in his pockets.
The man was soon identified as 57-year-old Michael McNulty, of Pottsville. The victim of this burglary told police he’s got video evidence that McNulty entering a garage he owns that’s on land he rents from Reading Anthracite Company.
This was an ongoing issue between the victim and McNulty, apparently. The victim provided a copy of a rental agreement he’s got with Reading Anthracite to police.
After being taken into custody by police, McNulty initially said he rented a separate property in the area for $100 monthly. He allegedly admitted to police that he knows he was trespassing but was doing so to check on five people who were living without heat where he allegedly trespassed. McNulty told police he was homeless and living in a garage there.
Police, however, say McNulty did not have any food, blankets, or water that would back up his story of helping others who were supposedly living in that garage. McNulty was in possession of wire cutters, police said, and a key to a padlock. McNulty reportedly entered the garage through an unsecured side door that was covered with plywood.
McNulty is facing a second-degree felony burglary and third-degree felony criminal trespass charge along with a misdemeanor defiant trespass and summary offense for disorderly conduct.
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