According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, on April 2, 2017, around 7:30pm, an officer came upon a red pickup truck parked alongside the dirt road known as Mile Road, about a 1/2 mile from the village of 5 Points, Eagle Hill, in Blythe Township.
A check of the registration showed it belonged to Dustin Gernert, 34, of New Ringgold. Gernert's name was family to police due to past criminal behavior.
The owner of Joe Kuperavage Coal Company was summoned for the purpose of gaining entrance to the mining operation to check the area due to recent criminal mischief and thefts occurring at the business.
Gernert was apprehended in the area of a 1986 4600 Manitowac Shovel on the property.
Evidence at the scene, along with a confession showed Gernert was there for the purpose of stealing copper wiring from electrical wires and cables. Various wires and cables were cut, with estimated costs to replace in excess of $8,000.
Gernert has been charged with Criminal Mischief including damaging property, theft by unlawful taking, trespassing, as well as possession of a controlled substance.
Gernert was taken into custody and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.