Theft of pole in South Manheim Township

July 27th, 2006

A South Manheim Township man is charged with theft and related charges for stealing from his neighbor and PPL.

According to State Police, 41-year old Ronald Weiss of Auburn, allegedly cut down a utility pole back in June.
He also allegedly pulled the water line and pump out of a well on the property owned by Doug Naftzinger.

The transformer from the pole, the chain saw used to cut the pole down, and cable cutters that were used to strip the copper wire out of the transformer were found in Weiss's garage.

Weiss was taken into custody yesterday after police found him hiding in his attic.

He is housed in the Schuylkill County prison on $25-thousand-dollars bail.

Police believe he sold the copper taken from the transformer at an unknown recycling center.