A Schuylkill County man was arrested and jailed on Monday after State Police say he stole an entire commercial HVAC unit and stripped copper wiring from several others at a West Brunswick Township office complex.
Michael Brown faces theft and related charges following a police stakeout at the business center on Route 61.
Police say Brown, 44, of Auburn, is responsible for a multi-day spree of thefts that left the commercial building without heat or electricity.
The investigation into Brown’s alleged activities began on Feb. 6 when problems with the building’s heat and power were discovered. Police say it was determined the HVAC unit for one office suite had been damaged and its cables stolen. By the following evening, police were notified that the HVAC unit for a second suite had been removed entirely.
Surveillance footage from the area reportedly captured a black SUV and a silver or gold SUV near the property during the times of the incidents.
On Feb. 8, the property owner allegedly watched a live feed of her security cameras and observed a silver SUV park behind the business, police say. She told police she watched a man exit the vehicle, retrieve red bolt cutters from the trunk, and walk toward the building.
The owner reportedly told police she saw “sparks flying” on the camera feed as the man cut the cables to a third HVAC unit.
Police returned to the scene early on Feb. 9 for a stakeout. A little before 6 a.m., police say they watched a silver Kia Sportage turn onto a dirt road behind the complex. When troopers approached the parked vehicle, they identified Brown as the driver.
Brown allegedly told police he was waiting for a relative to pick him up for work. However, police say they could see red and black bolt cutters in the vehicle’s trunk area and took him into custody.
A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered wire-cutting tools and a cut galvanized coupling with a brass pipe. Police later searched the exterior of a residence on Rocky Rd., where they reportedly found additional bolt cutters and a bucket containing burn residue and stripped copper wire.
Brown allegedly admitted to visiting a local scrap metal business on Feb. 7. Employees at the scrap yard confirmed to police that Brown had sold items appearing to be HVAC parts for $83.70 that day.
Brown was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker on Monday afternoon and charged with felony counts of criminal mischief, attempted theft of secondary metal, theft, receiving stolen property, and intentionally damaging property. He’s also charged with misdemeanor counts of possessing instruments of crime and prowling at night.
Kilker set bail at $50,000 and remanded Brown to Schuylkill County Prison.
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