According to Mahanoy City Police, on Monday, January 4th, 2021, around 2:00pm, Officer Frank Gallo was assisting the Mahanoy Township Water Authority and Mahanoy City Code Enforcement Officer in the 300 Block of West South Street in the borough where a fire took place last week.
The borough was on site to remove water meters and post the buildings unfit for habitation.
When borough workers removed the boards over the doorway to enter at 311, they could hear footsteps on the floor above them.
Officer Gallo went to the second floor where he found a male, later identified as Joseph Minnich, 48, of Mahanoy City, crossing through a hole in the wall into the address at 309.
Minnich was taken into custody without incident and was found with a book bag and tool bag. Minnich was found to be carrying a can of paint, can of polyurethane, spray paint, wood stain, 2 walkie talkies, a small microphone, flashlights, 3-4 inch cut off wheels, a wrench, pliers, and 2 screw drivers.
Minnich was reported to live nearby at 315 West South Street and did not have the right or permission to be in the burnt out buildings.
Minnich was charged with burglary, theft by unlawful taking, criminal trespass, receiving stolen property, and possession the instrument of a crime.
Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker arraigned Minnich on Monday afternoon and locked him up in Schuylkill County Prison after he was unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.