Thursday, January 13, 2022

State Police Arrest Hamburg Man for Vehicle Thefts in Schuylkill and Berks Counties

An update to a story we posted about early Thursday, a Hamburg man is in custody for a string of vehicle thefts over the past couple days in Schuylkill and Berks Counties.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Hamburg, these incidents began on Monday, January 10th, 2021 around 6:30pm in Shoemakersville, Berks County when a Jeep Cherokee was stolen while it was left unattended, unlocked, and running.

That Jeep was later recovered after State Police at Schuylkill Haven were called to the Big Lots Distribution Center in Tremont Township, Schuylkill County, when a second vehicle, a Hyundai Kona, also unattended, unlocked, and running was stolen.  The Jeep in the original theft was found parked next to where the Kona was parked.

The next day, on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022, around 6:15am, Schuylkill Haven Troopers responded to the Burger King at 10 Molleystown Road, Tremont Township, for a repot of a stolen Jeep Compass.  A purse and keys were also stolen during the theft.  Troopers were able to identify the suspect as Cody Snyder, 31, of Hamburg, through surveillance footage.  

On Wednesday, January 12th, 2022, around 2:00am, Hamburg Troopers responded to Love's Truck Stop, located at 3700 Mountain Road, Upper Bern Township, Berks County for a report of a stolen RAV4.  This vehicle was also left unattended, unlocked, and running.  At the scene, the Jeep Compass was recovered.

Later that day, Troopers received a tip that Snyder was in the area of the Westy Bar and Grill on West State Street in Tilden Township, responded, and took him into custody.

Troopers charged Snyder for the 2 Berks County thefts with 2 counts of theft of a motor vehicle, and trespass by motor vehicle.

Snyder was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kim Bagenstose and locked up in Berks County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail.

The Hyundai Kona that was stolen from Bigs Lots in Tremont Township, was later recovered on Thursday, January 13th, 2022 in Porter Township.

Charges are still pending for the thefts in Schuylkill County.