An employee of a Minersville restaurant is facing criminal charges after police say he was caught stealing food from the business’s walk-in freezer last week.
Juan Perez, 19, of Minersville, is accused of entering the Little Brown Barrel, at 115 Sunbury St., while the business was closed and stealing food.
Police said the incident began around 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 3, when Schuylkill County 9-1-1 received a report of an active burglary.
Dispatchers reportedly told police that the business owner had a suspect physically restrained.
When police arrived at the scene, they say the owner was running down Sunbury St. saying that Perez had escaped his custody and fled down N. Second St.
Officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate Perez at that time.
The owner of the business told police he discovered Perez inside the walk-in freezer taking steaks and a dessert. He said he physically wrestled with Perez, and during the struggle, he observed the suspect’s face and recognized him as an employee.
Another employee reportedly witnessed the scuffle and confirmed Perez’s identity, police say.
Perez is being charged with felony burglary and criminal trespass.
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