An arrest warrant has been issued for a Shenandoah resident for allegedly stealing from his former employer in Ringtown.
According to court documents filed by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Nicholas Reese, 48-year-old Dennis Bugden, of Shenandoah, has been charged with burglary, theft of secondary metal, and criminal trespass following an incident on May 4, 2024.
Trooper Reese stated in an affidavit that around 4:30 a.m. on that date, Bugden unlawfully entered a building at 700 East Main Street in Ringtown, owned by Jeld-Wen Incorporated. At the time, the property was not in production, and Bugden is a former employee of the company.
Bugden reportedly entered the facility through ae shipping dock door and removed several bundles of aluminum extrusion, placing them in a Chevrolet Malibu registered to his girlfriend. He then left the property around 4:50 a.m.
The entire incident was captured on surveillance cameras inside and outside the facility. During the theft, Bugden wore a curly-haired wig to conceal his identity.
Later that morning, around 8:50 a.m., Bugden went to SOS Metals Incorporated in Mount Carmel Township, where he unloaded the aluminum and received $211.80. Surveillance footage at SOS Metals showed Bugden wearing the same clothes as in the Jeld-Wen surveillance footage.
SOS Metals also identified Bugden as a frequent customer, noting he consistently visited on Saturday mornings. The aluminum extrusion Bugden recycled was reported to be specific to Jeld-Wen Windows.
Further questioning of Jeld-Wen employees revealed an ongoing issue of missing aluminum since July 2023, with an increase in thefts in March and April 2024. Employees noted that aluminum prepared on Fridays for work on Mondays would often be missing the following week.
Based on these findings, Trooper Reese filed the charges through Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli's office on July 1, 2024. A felony warrant has been issued for Bugden's arrest.
As of this posting, Bugden was not in custody.