A man has been detained at Schuylkill County Prison following charges of stealing a police vehicle and driving it to Delaware. Richard W. Weiss, aged 49, from Schuylkill Haven, faces felony charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, alongside a misdemeanor for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The incident occurred after Weiss visited the Schuylkill Haven Police Department early on a Monday morning. He subsequently took a police truck parked near the station, driving it to the Amtrak station in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was apprehended.
A borough police officer had left the Ford F-150 pickup truck running in a parking lot beside the station on Parkway Avenue at around 1:30 a.m. Surveillance cameras captured the theft. Weiss was returned to Schuylkill County, where he was arraigned by District Judge David Plachko and held on a $75,000 bail. A preliminary hearing with District Judge Andrew J. Serina is pending scheduling. Weiss is known to the police department as officers have responded to multiple incidents involving him, largely related to mental health issues.
Schuylkill Haven police retrieved the undamaged vehicle from Wilmington. Inside the truck was a locked, semiautomatic tactical 12-gauge shotgun, which Weiss did not attempt to access. According to the criminal complaint, Officer Kenneth Jacoby was working a double shift when he parked the vehicle, leaving it idling but locked remotely. Weiss arrived at the station around 2:15 a.m., believing there was a warrant out for him. Clad in shorts, a shirt, and socks, he was told there were no active warrants and was advised to return home.
At about 3:30 a.m., dispatchers informed Jacoby that the department’s truck was missing. Security footage showed Weiss taking the vehicle. He later drove to a Wawa store in Bern Township, Berks County, where he claimed to be an off-duty officer when questioned after attempting to take cigarettes and candy. Although he left the items behind, store employees notified the police. The vehicle’s license plate was tracked by Pennsylvania’s recognition system, leading to Weiss’s capture by Amtrak police in Wilmington.
Police Chief Jeffrey Walcott noted that officers often leave vehicles running for practical reasons, such as weather conditions or to maintain the vehicle’s computer systems. However, the vehicles are expected to be locked during these times. An internal review will address the failure to secure the truck properly.
Understanding the Impact
This incident highlights several potential ramifications for both the local police department and the community. For residents, the security breach may raise concerns about police protocols and the safety of law enforcement equipment. Ensuring vehicles are properly secured might become a priority, potentially influencing public trust and confidence in local authorities.
From a broader perspective, this incident underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues within communities. Given Weiss’s history, there may be calls for better mental health support and intervention strategies to prevent similar incidents. Additionally, the event could prompt a review of police practices concerning vehicle security and the handling of potentially volatile situations.