A Schuylkill County man is accused of stealing a full-body grizzly bear mount from a home during an underage drinking party earlier this month, one of three people State Police have charged in connection with the incident.
Trey Earley, 18, of Saint Clair, is charged with theft and criminal mischief. His brother, Gavin Earley, 19, of Mahanoy City, is charged with receiving stolen property. Addison Yoder, 18, of Schuylkill Haven, who police say hosted the party, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, disorderly conduct, and underage drinking.
Police say the bear, a full-body mount from Alaska, belonged to Yoder’s father, and is valued between $3,500 and $10,000.
Troopers were called to the Washington Township home late on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 6, for an underage drinking party that had already broken up.
Yoder told police she held the party while her parents were out of town and about 80 showed up. She told police she knew up to 10 of the guests and admitted to drinking alcohol at the party even though she is 18.
A 16-year-old boy was at the home during the party and was in Yoder’s care, police say. He told police Yoder does not associate with the best of people.
The teen told police that once the party started around 10 p.m. Sept. 5, he went to a bedroom. He told police he became so scared during the party that he barricaded himself inside the room and refused to go to nearby family members because he feared the type of guests at the party. During the night, two unknown males broke into the bedroom as they rummaged through the home, he told police.
Police allege people at the party stole 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotguns that were in the home, along with two hunting bows, a pressure washer, hunting knives, flashlights, and mounted animals.
A neighbor told police she was woken up by the party just after 1 a.m. Sept. 6 and tried to break it up.
During the investigation, police learned from Yoder and another person that the grizzly bear mount had been stolen.
On Sept. 7, the 16-year-old spotted the bear on a Snapchat story posted by a friend of Gavin Earley, police say. That person then returned the bear to the family.
The friend told police Sept. 8 that he got the bear from Gavin Earley.
Gavin Earley told police he went to his mother’s home Sept. 7 to bring food to his brother, who had been at a party the night before. He told police his brother confided in him that he stole the bear by throwing it in a truck. Gavin Earley told police their mother wanted the bear gone, so he took it to his friend’s home.
Gavin Earley gave police access to Snapchat messages between him and his brother, police say. In the conversation, Trey Earley told his brother to be quiet about the bear because there was an open investigation, according to police.
Trey Earley then wrote, “She thinks some n****** stole it,” referring to Yoder, police say. Gavin Earley responded, “bet.”
The bear’s owner told police that when he got the mount back, he saw significant damage to it and is unsure whether it can be restored to its original state.
Trey Earley was arraigned Sept. 25 before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8.
Gavin Earley was arraigned Tuesday morning before Magisterial District Judge Edward Lewis and released on $3,500 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20.
Yoder’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...