According to the Bethel Township Police, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, just before midnight, Bethel Township Police were dispatched to a residence in the 3200 block of Camp Swatara Road for a burglary in progress.
The victim reported waking up to hearing glass shattering, footsteps in the house and seeing light shining under their bedroom door.
Bethel Township officers arrived within minutes to find a basement window shattered. An unoccupied crashed vehicle was quickly located nearby the location of this call in the area of Camp Swatara Road and Pine Grove Road.
A search of the area was conducted with the assistance of a K9 from Lower Heidelberg Township Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police from Hamburg and Jonestown Barracks'.
A search of the area was conducted with the assistance of a K9 from Lower Heidelberg Township Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police from Hamburg and Jonestown Barracks'.
While still on scene, around 5:15am, a call was received from a resident in the 1500 block of Pine Grove Road reporting finding a male in one of his chicken houses.
A Bethel Township officer located the male around 5:20am where he was taken into custody without incident.
The male was identified as Jack Smith, 30, of Auburn was transported to Reading Hospital by Bethel Ambulance for injuries sustained while on the run in the woods.
Following medical treatment, he was transported to Berks County Central Processing and turned over to the custody of the Berks County Sheriff's Department.
Following medical treatment, he was transported to Berks County Central Processing and turned over to the custody of the Berks County Sheriff's Department.
Smith was charged by Bethel Township Police with felony criminal trespass, misdemeanor loitering and prowling at nighttime, and summary offenses for criminal mischief, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicle or property and careless driving.
He was arraigned my Magisterial District Judge Andrea J. Book who set bail at $20,000 straight cash. Smith posted bail via a bondsman later that day and was released.