Man charged for storage unit break-in
ALTAMONT – A Ringtown man is accused of breaking into a storage unit and swiping tools in West Mahanoy Township.
Shawn Jessman, 32, of West Main Street, is in Schuylkill County Prison on felony break-in and misdemeanor theft, receiving stolen property, and loitering and prowling at nighttime charges.
According to the criminal complaint filed by West Mahanoy Township Police Chief Matt Williams, officers were called to the STP Storage Facility on Starter Drive around noon Oct. 2 for a reported theft.
A woman renting a unit reported that the unit had been broken into and multiple saws, a grinder, a drill, and more were stolen.
A Nissan was seen at the unit on security camera footage around 11:30pm Sept. 28 and a still photo was submitted to online news outlets the Sentinel and Skook News which led to an anonymous tip identifying the owner of the vehicle as Jessman.
Police visited Jessman in Ringtown where he claimed he accidentally broke into the storage unit, thinking it was his relative’s, as he was seeking a sweatshirt.
He told police he took a bag of hooded sweatshirts that didn’t belong to him, drove away, and discarded the bag.
Officers asked to search the vehicle and, inside, a drill, bolt cutters, another drill, and a broken padlock were found.
Jessman, according to the criminal complaint, told police it was his aunt’s unit and she allegedly told him she no longer had the key.
He claimed that he did not steal any of the tools from the unit.
He was arraigned and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post 10% of $20,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 22.
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