A Schuylkill County woman reportedly told police that she was not well enough to walk across town to her home one night earlier this month.
Instead, she allegedly broke into a vacant home and ran extension cords to a neighboring home for electricity.
According to court documents, police in Shenandoah say they were called to a property in the 100 block of N. Bower St. at about 3:30 a.m. on July 9. This property was recently purchased by the Schuylkill County Redevelopment Authority. It was secured by full sheets of plywood over the entrances. Large “No Trespassing” signs were attached to the plywood, police say, and PPL Electric had previously disconnected power to the property.
Police say when they arrived on the scene, they could see a window open on the third story of the property. A light was on inside the room with the window. Plywood covering the rear entrance to the property had been busted open, police say.
As police entered the property, they identified themselves and heard in response, “It’s Amber. I’m on the third floor.”
Police say Amber Yoder, 32, of Shenandoah, was powering lights with extension cords running from a neighboring residence. She reportedly told police she wasn’t feeling well enough to walk home and needed a place to lay down.
Yoder has been charged with felony criminal trespass. She was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley, who set bail at 10% of $5,000 and remanded her to Schuylkill County Prison.
She is due in court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday.
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