Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Police Arrest Burglary Suspect and Two with Active Warrants

A burglary suspect and two with active warrants were taken into custody during an incident on Friday in Pottsville.

According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky, on Friday March 23, 2018 around 8:00am, Police responded to 1625 W Norwegian St. for a reported suspicious incident.

Additional information received while en route indicated two males had been observed kicking the side door of that address with the actors making forced entry inside.

Upon arrival by officers, it was confirmed that the bottom panel of the west side door was in fact broke open. A search of the residence was completed and police located Trent Schaeffer, 25, of Minersville hiding between several upright mattresses within the second floor middle bedroom.

Schaeffer was taken into custody and the search continued as officers located homeowner Zachery Guy Zerby, 24, and Amanda Bebenek, 29, of Shamokin on the third floor. During the course of the investigation officers learned that active arrest warrants existed for both Zerby and Bebenek and they were taken into custody with Zerby being placed in the Schuylkill County Prison and Bebenek being transported to Mifflin County Prison.

Zerby told police that he and Bebenek had been awoken by Schaeffer and Casey Woolson, 28, of St. Clair forcing entry into the home. The two had confronted Zerby about a “missing Playstation 4” and they had proceeded to search the house looking for the item. When it was not located Woolson fled prior to police arrival.

Criminal complaints were prepared charging Schaeffer and Woolson with Burglary, Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Criminal trespass, Criminal Conspiracy to commit criminal trespass and Criminal Mischief.

Schaeffer was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Reiley who set bail at $30,000. Schaeffer was then remanded to Schuylkill Count Prison. 

A warrant of arrest was obtained for Woolson and anyone with information on his current location is asked to call the Pottsville Police at 570-628-3792.