|
Read News
|
Pocono News Section
Former W-B Employee Arrested For Stealing City Jeep
Former W-B Employee Arrested For Stealing City Jeep - Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 4:42PM EST
Reported by: Jill Konopka
Wednesday, Feb 27, 2008 @04:42pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY - A former Wilkes-Barre city employee is under arrest, after police said he stole a jeep in the city's fleet. City workers apparently didn’t even notice it was missing for three days.
18-year-old Eric Shields is charged with theft, criminal mischief and trespass. Shields says he took the vehicle because the keys are left in the cars. City officials said that's simply not true.
Either way, it all stems from an incident one week ago today.
We found Wilkes-Barre City Jeep # 555 partially spray painted and parked at the Public Works Department on Pennsylvania Avenue.
It's back where it belongs, one week after cops said a former city worker took it without permission.
Apparently nobody even realized it was missing for three days. Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Gerard Dessoye explained "It was determined the vehicle was stolen from the city of Wilkes-Barre and the subject was arrested."
Police said Eric Shields, who once worked as part time summer help stole the Jeep on February 17th. Authorities arrested Shields three days later, after a city worker tracked the ex-employee down.
That city employee; Kenneth Pahler got wind the vehicle was being driven erratically near the Burger King on North River Street in Plains. Pahler showed up, followed the car behind Mister Z's grocery store and blocked Shields in from fleeing.
Shields admits to spray painting part of the car to hide the city's decals. He also confessed to the crime, saying he was "Homeless, cold, and knew the keys were left in the vehicles."
Sue Ent said, "It's pretty sad. I know he needs help. I know he said he has nowhere to live."
Sue Ent said she drove Shields on a bus to Wilkes-Barre Vo-Tech before he stopped showing up. Shields gave Ent's address as his own to police, Ent added, "I didn't see him in a year and then he showed up here said I need my mail and I'm like what are you talking about?”
According to a city spokeswoman, Wilkes-Barre D.P.W workers who use city vehicles are required to return keys to a lock box when their shift is over. Keys are not to be left in the engine at any time.
Butch Frati and Ken Pahler with the city did not return our calls for answers.
Police quickly pointed out a situation such as this rarely ever happens. Shields was released on his own recognizance and will return to central court in Wilkes-Barre Thursday morning at 11 for a hearing.
| | |
|
|
|