A Pottsville man is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison after allegedly breaking into an apartment in Shenandoah last week.
According to court documents, on February 13, 2026, around 2:28 p.m., Shenandoah Borough Police were dispatched to the 300 Block of West Centre Street, after a woman reported that a male had forced his way into her apartment.
Police say the suspect, identified as Bruce Sweller, 64, of Pottsville, was standing on the front porch of the residence when officers arrived and he was taken into custody without incident.
The victim told police she was inside her living room when she heard someone attempting to open the back door. The male allegedly forced open the locked door, breaking the door frame and damaging the lock to gain entry.
The woman explained she is a tenant at the residence and that her landlord told police she was not familiar with Sweller and confirmed he was not a tenant of any of her apartments.
According to the affidavit, Sweller told police he believed he lived at the residence but did not have a key, which he claimed was why he forced entry.
Sweller was arraigned Friday before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker. Bail was set at 10 percent of $10,000. Unable to post bail, he remains incarcerated in Schuylkill County Prison.
He is charged with:
- Criminal Trespass – Breaking Into a Structure (Felony 2)
- Criminal Mischief – Damage to Property (Misdemeanor 3)
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 19, 2026, before Judge Kilker.