According to Ptlm. Timothy Walsh, on February 14th, 2019 around 6:00am, Minersville Police were dispatched to the 400 block of Lytle Street for a report of a stolen vehicle.
The victim told police that someone had stolen his 2010 Toyota Tundra while he left it running in front of his home
It was later reported that the stolen truck was spotted at Kreiser's Quik Stop in Tremont around 4:30am on February 15, 2019.
An investigation of surveillance footage at the business by Minersville Ptlm. Jeffrey Bowers revealed the truck was observed parking at the gas pump and a male and female exiting the vehicle. The male and female would later be identified as Joseph Yurkonis, 25, of East Norwegian Township, and Kelly Williams, 49, no known address. A third person, later identified as Justin Yurkonis, 20, of also of East Norwegian Township, stayed in the vehicle.
Through the surveillance footage, Yurkonis and Williams were observed in the store stealing sandwiches and food by placing them in her purse. Yurkonis was seen paying for the gas, but not the food.
After leaving the store, the vehicle fled towards Tremont.
Later on February 15, 2019, Patrolman Walsh received information that all three individuals were at home on the 700 Block of Sunbury Street, in Minersville.
Patrolman Walsh and officers from Cass Township and Branch Township responded to the home.
When police arrived, they were able to see both Yurkonis brothers in the home. The owner of the home, Warren Scott, provided consent for officers to enter and search the home for stolen items and the wanted individuals.
Police encountered all three suspects in the home.
A search of jacket, owned by Justin Yurkonis, at the home, led to the finding of keys to the stolen Toyota.
In addition to the keys, numerous items including tools, radios, and personal items valued at over $500 were recovered from the clothing items owned by the three suspects. The victim later identified owning these items
In the truck at the time of theft, which included a dog kennel valued at over $2,000 and a boat propeller valued at $800 were also later recovered.
Williams was taken into custody, who was also found to have an outstanding warrant. While being taken into custody Williams was found to be in possession of a clear glassine resealable baggy containing off-white crystalline substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
Williams later told police that Joseph and Justin Yurkonis stole the truck on the morning of February 14, 2019 and picked her up in the area of Sunbury and Fourth Streets and left the borough and went off-roading with the stolen truck.
Williams escored police where the truck was hidden in a secluded location. The truck was found with a substantial amount of cosmetic and structural damage, including the transmission being rendered inoperable. The truck was towed from the scene for further processing.
On February 19, 2019, Minersville Police filed charges against all three for the theft.
Williams was charged with receiving stolen property, conspiracy to committ receiving stolen property, theft from a motor vehicle, criminal mischief, conspiracy to committ criminal mischief, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Justin Yurkonis was charged with Theft by unlawful taking, conspriracy to commit theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, theft from a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit theft from a motor vehicle, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Joseph Yurkonis was charged with Theft by unlawful taking, conspriracy to commit theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, theft from a motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit theft from a motor vehicle.
All three were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko on Wednesday morning and committed to Schuylkill County Prison.
All 3 remain locked up in Schuylkill County Prison after Judge Plachko set bail at $50,000 straight cash.
(Photos Submitted by Minersville Police)
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| Joseph Yurkonis |
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| Justin Yurkonis |
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| Kelly Williams |