A Frackville man already jailed in connection with a stolen vehicle and drug case in Saint Clair is now facing additional charges stemming from a separate incident earlier in the week in Butler Township.
According to court documents, Charles Audkaitis, 36, of Frackville, was charged with Receiving Stolen Property (Felony 3) following an investigation by Butler Township Police on March 9, 2026.
Police say that around 11:52 a.m., they were on patrol on Creek Road in Butler Township when they observed a silver Chrysler 300 parked halfway in the roadway with no registration plate displayed.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed two men inside, with one seated in the driver’s seat and Audkaitis seated in the passenger seat. Police say when the passenger exited the vehicle, the driver slid across to the passenger side with his feet outside the vehicle.
The officers identified the passenger as Audkaitis, whom they were already familiar with.
When questioned, Audkaitis reportedly told police the vehicle belonged to the driver, identified as Dave Brown, and that the pair had driven from High Road to Creek Road to test drive the vehicle because they believed the transmission might be broken. Audkaitis also said they planned to go to a nearby residence on Creek Road to see if someone there had transmission fluid.
Police later confirmed Brown’s identity and learned he was a suspended driver. Brown also told officers the vehicle had been in storage for about 10 years and that he was simply test-driving it.
While officers were gathering information, Brown reportedly walked away toward a nearby residence, and officers briefly lost sight of him. Both men and the property were searched with negative results.
A VIN check showed the vehicle was registered to Automotive Toy Store LLC in Mount Carmel, though it had not yet been entered as stolen at that time.
Police later contacted an employee of the dealership who confirmed that a white Ford Econoline van had been reported stolen over the weekend, and that they had also discovered the Chrysler 300 was missing and believed stolen. They were in the process of reporting the vehicle stolen to Mount Carmel Township Police.
Mount Carmel Township Police later entered the vehicle into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database on March 10, 2026, confirming the Chrysler had been reported stolen. Police say the vehicle had already been taken into custody and stored at A&F Auto in Lavelle after it was towed from the scene.
Audkaitis was charged following the investigation.
Because he was already incarcerated in Schuylkill County Prison from the Saint Clair stolen vehicle and drug case, Audkaitis was arraigned Thursday, March 12, 2026, before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli, who set bail at $25,000 for the Butler Township case.
The charges are separate from the Saint Clair incident in which police say Audkaitis was stopped while driving a stolen Ford van and was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine, pills, and drug paraphernalia.
According to court documents, Charles Audkaitis, 36, of Frackville, was charged with Receiving Stolen Property (Felony 3) following an investigation by Butler Township Police on March 9, 2026.
Police say that around 11:52 a.m., they were on patrol on Creek Road in Butler Township when they observed a silver Chrysler 300 parked halfway in the roadway with no registration plate displayed.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed two men inside, with one seated in the driver’s seat and Audkaitis seated in the passenger seat. Police say when the passenger exited the vehicle, the driver slid across to the passenger side with his feet outside the vehicle.
The officers identified the passenger as Audkaitis, whom they were already familiar with.
When questioned, Audkaitis reportedly told police the vehicle belonged to the driver, identified as Dave Brown, and that the pair had driven from High Road to Creek Road to test drive the vehicle because they believed the transmission might be broken. Audkaitis also said they planned to go to a nearby residence on Creek Road to see if someone there had transmission fluid.
Police later confirmed Brown’s identity and learned he was a suspended driver. Brown also told officers the vehicle had been in storage for about 10 years and that he was simply test-driving it.
While officers were gathering information, Brown reportedly walked away toward a nearby residence, and officers briefly lost sight of him. Both men and the property were searched with negative results.
A VIN check showed the vehicle was registered to Automotive Toy Store LLC in Mount Carmel, though it had not yet been entered as stolen at that time.
Police later contacted an employee of the dealership who confirmed that a white Ford Econoline van had been reported stolen over the weekend, and that they had also discovered the Chrysler 300 was missing and believed stolen. They were in the process of reporting the vehicle stolen to Mount Carmel Township Police.
Mount Carmel Township Police later entered the vehicle into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database on March 10, 2026, confirming the Chrysler had been reported stolen. Police say the vehicle had already been taken into custody and stored at A&F Auto in Lavelle after it was towed from the scene.
Audkaitis was charged following the investigation.
Because he was already incarcerated in Schuylkill County Prison from the Saint Clair stolen vehicle and drug case, Audkaitis was arraigned Thursday, March 12, 2026, before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli, who set bail at $25,000 for the Butler Township case.
The charges are separate from the Saint Clair incident in which police say Audkaitis was stopped while driving a stolen Ford van and was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine, pills, and drug paraphernalia.
David Brown Charges
Brown, 42, of Fairview-Ferndale, PA has also been charged for the incident in Butler Township. His charges include felony receiving stolen property, driving with a suspended or revoked license, operating a vehicle with a valid inspection, and improper display of a registration plate.
As of this posting, he has not been arraigned.