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Pocono News Section
Cable Installer Faces Theft Charges
Cable Installer Faces Theft Charges - Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 5:46PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 @ 05:46pm EST
Berwick, Columbia County-
A Metrocast employee is accused of pocketing cash after installing cable at more than a dozen homes in Columbia County.
Police are putting an end to some free channel surfing that’s been going on in Berwick.
Investigators say 22-year-old Metrocast employee Jacob Alley has been illegally installing cable at homes throughout the borough.
Police Chief Frank Brennan said, “You know, a lot of it is just straight up common sense. If it’s too good to be true, it is.”
Cops say Alley would tell his bosses that customers had cancelled or postponed their appointments. Then he would go do the installations, and pocket a one-time cash fee for himself.
We’re told he worked the scam in at least 17 homes in the area.
Police say Jacob Alley would troll for customers near Berwick businesses, wearing his Metrocast uniform, and offering potential customers his special deal.
According to court papers, Alley used the money to pay rent and support a drug habit.
But police also say customers should know better than to accept such a shady deal.
Brennan noted, “If there’s no written agreement what you do or what you’re getting with the service, that’s obviously a problem.”
Brennan says customers should always demand a receipt.
Anyone who may have had their cable installed illegally is encouraged to call Metrocast’s Berwick office to settle up.
Brennan added, “They’re going to start running checks on who’s supposed to have service and who’s not, and it will get to you. And right now, it’s to the point where if you’re aware, now you’ve put yourself in a predicament.”
Jacob Alley faces a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.
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