An individual recently visiting the Schuylkill Haven Police Department on an early Monday morning took a police vehicle parked adjacent to the station and drove it to Delaware, where police subsequently apprehended him. A police officer from the borough had left the Ford F-150 pickup truck running in the parking lot beside the station, located along the 200 block of Parkway Avenue, around 1:30 a.m. The officer mistakenly believed the vehicle was securely locked, but upon returning to the lot, discovered it missing.
The vehicle was later located in Wilmington, Delaware, being operated by Richard W. Weiss, age 49, from Schuylkill Haven. Weiss now faces felony charges for theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, along with a misdemeanor for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He has since been extradited back to Schuylkill County.
Weiss is known to the department due to previous incidents related to his mental health issues. He had visited the station to inquire about any outstanding warrants for his arrest, of which there were none. As he departed, he took the opportunity to enter the running police vehicle and drive away, with these actions captured on the department’s security cameras. Once the officer realized the vehicle had been taken, an alert was issued to other departments to be vigilant.
Latter that morning, Weiss was intercepted by security after entering the Amtrak station lot in Wilmington with the vehicle, where he was subsequently detained for police. Upon being brought back to Schuylkill County, Weiss will undergo processing.
Schuylkill Haven officers retrieved the undamaged vehicle from Wilmington on Monday morning. Although the truck contained department firearms, they were securely locked and Weiss did not attempt access. Police vehicles are commonly left running for various reasons, such as cold weather and to avoid rebooting the onboard computer systems upon restart. However, vehicles are expected to be locked during such times, a precaution that was not observed in this instance.
The officer responsible for the vehicle at the time has not been named, but the matter is being internally addressed. The police chief, who was out of town during the incident, is still compiling details regarding the specific charges Weiss may face.
The Implications for Community and Police Procedures
This incident highlights several important aspects that affect both community safety and police protocols. For local residents, ensuring that police vehicles and their contents are secured is crucial in maintaining community safety and trust in law enforcement. The occurrence underscores the need for adherence to procedural diligence, such as locking vehicles, especially when they contain potentially hazardous items like firearms.
For the police department, revisiting vehicle security protocols may be imperative to prevent similar incidents in the future. Ensuring all officers are aware of and follow these protocols can mitigate risks and promote accountability. Additionally, this situation serves as a reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in balancing operational needs with security measures. The learnings from this event could lead to improved practices, enhancing overall safety and efficiency within the police force.
