A Schuylkill County man was jailed Thursday after police charged him with a Christmas Eve burglary at a senior living center in Minersville.
On Dec. 26, police in Minersville say they were called to the Miners Lofts building for a reported burglary.
As police arrived on the scene, they say they were directed to the second floor, where witnesses reported the break-in.
Multiple offices had been rummaged through, with papers and personal effects scattered throughout the rooms. Police also say personal lockers and bins belonging to residents of the building had been dumped out and searched.
Security footage provided by employees allegedly show Elijah Kocevar, 18, of Minersville, in the foyer on Dec. 24 at 9:39 p.m. Police say they recognized Kocevar from previous run-ins with him.
The footage reportedly shows Kocevar entering the vestibule and pulling on several secured doors. One door, identified as a carded access door, opened.
Police say Kocevar then used the elevator to access the second floor, where he rummaged through offices, lockers, and compartments.
Kocevar allegedly returned to the vestibule before going back to the second floor. He was allegedly captured on video leaving the building at 10:31 p.m.
Police say the footage shows Kocevar leaving with “multiple consumables and other property” in his possession which he was not observed carrying when he entered.
A building employee reported several items missing, including a black Apple iPhone 13 valued at $1,200, a computer bag valued at $100, $100 in cash and gift cards, and $100 worth of food. The report also noted $25 in damage to a door handle.
Kocevar was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel on Thursday afternoon and charged with felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass, misdemeanor counts of theft and receiving stolen property, and a summary count of criminal mischief.
Lengel set bail at $50,000 and remanded Kocevar to Schuylkill County Prison. A prelminary hearing before Senior Judge Edward Lewis is scheduled for Feb. 3 in Port Carbon.
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