Charges against two men accused of breaking into a Schuylkill County garage to get the keys to a vehicle with an unpaid service bill have been held for Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.
Wayne Stoltzfus, 20, of Narvon, and Ivan Fisher Jr., 20, of Ronks, each face felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass, along with misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and theft of services, after the Oct. 7 incident at Sborzy’s Garage in Foster Township. Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel held all charges against both men for court following a preliminary hearing last week.
State Police-Schuylkill Haven were dispatched to the garage shortly after 8 p.m. for a burglar alarm. The owner reported that while reviewing his security camera footage, he saw a man inside the business. While troopers were on the way, the owner reported he had found two men in the parking lot and was holding them there until police arrived.
When troopers got there around 8:30 p.m., a State Police corporal had the two men detained.
Fisher told police his friend, Stoltzfus, had asked him to help retrieve Stoltzfus’ younger brother’s vehicle, which had been at the garage for service. Fisher said they believed the keys would be with the vehicle, and when they realized they weren’t, they initially did not know what to do.
According to Fisher, Stoltzfus was able to see inside the garage and spotted the keys lying on a desk in the office. Fisher said Stoltzfus then went around the building checking for open windows so he could get inside, get the keys and take the vehicle home.
Fisher told police he never entered the property and stood outside looking around. He said the alarm began to sound once Stoltzfus got inside, and Stoltzfus came back out through the window with the keys.
Stoltzfus told troopers his younger brother had brought the vehicle in for service and that he knew there was an outstanding balance on the work that had not been paid. He said he and Fisher decided to go to the garage to get the vehicle and found the business closed because it was after normal operating hours.
Stoltzfus said he looked through the windows, saw the keys in the office and found a window he believed was not locked. He said he opened it and went in to get the keys, and when the alarm sounded, he grabbed them and left through the same window. Stoltzfus told police he knew the business was not open and that he was not permitted to take the vehicle until payment was made.
Police say the window’s locking system had been broken to get inside. Troopers identified Stoltzfus as the man seen entering the garage on the security footage, and the owner found the vehicle keys on Stoltzfus when he questioned him, according to police.
Both men were arraigned Oct. 7 before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli and sent to Schuylkill County Prison when they were initially unable to post bail. Bail was set at $25,000 for Stoltzfus and 10% of $50,000 for Fisher. Both posted bail Oct. 8 and were released.
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 ...