A Schuylkill County man is facing multiple felony charges after Pennsylvania State Police say he was caught behind a West Brunswick Township business complex where copper wiring and HVAC units had repeatedly been damaged or stolen.
Michael Francis Brown, 44, was arrested Monday, February 9, 2026, and charged with several offenses, including felony criminal mischief, attempted theft of secondary metal, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and possession of instruments of crime.
He was arraigned before Anthony Kilker in Shenandoah and committed to Schuylkill County Prison after failing to post $50,000 straight cash bail.
Investigation details
According to court documents, state police were first called to 1284 Centre Turnpike in West Brunswick Township on February 6 after employees reported the building had lost heat and electricity. Investigators determined HVAC units serving multiple suites had been damaged and copper cables were missing.
Two days later, additional damage was reported, including the theft of an entire HVAC unit.
Surveillance video obtained by police allegedly showed a silver or gold SUV driving behind the Brunswick Business Center during the early morning hours. Video footage captured a man exiting the vehicle and cutting cables from an HVAC unit with bolt cutters, with sparks visible as the wires were severed.
On February 9, troopers conducting surveillance observed a silver Kia Sportage pull off Route 61 and park behind the same business complex. Police approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Brown.
Troopers reported seeing bolt cutters inside the vehicle and later positively identified Brown using still images from the business’s surveillance footage.
Evidence seized
During a consent search of the vehicle and later at a nearby residence, troopers said they recovered:
- Multiple bolt cutters
- Wire cutters
- Stripped copper wire
- Burn residue consistent with wire stripping
- Gloves matching those seen in surveillance images
Investigators also obtained records from a local metal recycling facility showing Brown allegedly sold scrap metal and HVAC-related materials during the same time period. Police said he received $83.70 for the scrap.
Interview
Police said Brown told investigators he strips wire and owns a wire-stripping machine. He acknowledged recently being in the area but later invoked his right to remain silent, ending the interview.
Charges
Brown faces the following charges:
- Criminal Mischief – Damage to Property (Felony 3)
- Criminal Attempt – Theft of Secondary Metal (Felony 3)
- Theft by Unlawful Taking (Felony 3)
- Receiving Stolen Property (Felony 3)
- Possession of Instruments of Crime (Misdemeanor 1)
- Loitering and Prowling at Nighttime (Misdemeanor 3)
- Additional felony criminal mischief count
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 17th, 2026