A Pine Grove man and woman are facing charges after State Police-Schuylkill Haven say they were caught trespassing multiple times at Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, allegedly burning plastic off wires on the property.
According to affidavits filed on Jan. 29, police first responded to Rausch Creek on Nov. 18, 2024, after receiving a report of trespassing. Upon arrival, police spoke with the park’s manager who reported that two unidentified individuals – a male and a female – had been on the property over the past week. The manager told police the pair appeared to be burning plastic off wires and leaving the discarded plastic behind.
He also said that multiple “No Trespassing” signs and trees marked with purple paint were visible throughout the area, indicating unauthorized access was prohibited. He said he and several hunters on the property had ordered the individuals to leave. The pair were last seen driving an old silver BMW sedan and a red Volkswagen Jetta, both displaying the same Pennsylvania license plate: LNT5303. A records check indicated the plate was registered to David Wilson Jr.
Authorities were called back to the property on Dec. 2 at approximately 3:05 a.m. after Gardula reported that a silver BMW with the same plate had been spotted on his trail cameras trespassing again.
The next day, Troopers conducting patrol observed the same BMW parked outside a closed Sunoco gas station on Suedberg Road in Pine Grove Township. Troopers approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Joshua Zimmerman.
According to the affidavit, Zimmerman admitted he frequently visited Rausch Creek, often bringing a woman named Priscilla Carl with him. During a search of his vehicle, police reported finding wire cutters and various wires in the trunk. When asked about the wire cutters, Zimmerman allegedly became nervous and quickly shut the trunk.
Zimmerman also told police he owned both the silver BMW and the red Volkswagen but had not registered them in his name due to his suspended driver’s license. Instead, he said he had the plate registered to Wilson, a friend.
A check of the vehicle’s registration reportedly revealed that state police had made contact with the same car on Oct. 4, 2024, in connection with a similar incident, during which Zimmerman and Carl were identified as the only occupants.
ZImmerman and Carl are charged with criminal mischief, a second-degree misdemeanor, and summary offenses of scattering rubbish and trespassing. Their preliminary hearings before District Magistrate Judge David Rossi is scheduled for April 10.
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