Two Brothers Stole Big Tire, Police Say

An Easton man admitted stealing a large tire known as a Super Swamper and an aluminum rim from a neighbor and the man’s brother sold the $400 rim at a city scrap yard for $14.85, court records say.

Police identified the alleged thief as Jeffrey Charles Matthews, 43, and his brother as William Charles Matthews, 41. Both live at 933 W. Nesquehoning St.

A criminal complaint filed by city Patrolman Ryan Boorstein says the following:

--Around 12:40 Tuesday afternoon, Boorstein spoke to a man who lives on the 1000 block of W. Nesquehoning Street. The day before, the man said, someone stole his aluminum rim, valued at $400, and a Super Swamper tire, also valued at $400. The rim and tire were at the rear of his residence.

--Boorstein found the rim at Easton Iron & Metal, 1100 Bushkill Drive, in the city. Scrap yard officials said William Matthews sold the rim Monday for $14.85. They said there was no tire attached to it. The officer got the sales receipt with William Matthews’ signature on it.

--Boorstein then talked to William Matthews, who said his brother Jeffrey gave him the rim to sell to Easton Iron & Metal.

--The officer’s next interview was with Jeffrey, who admitted taking the rim and tire from the neighbor’s property. He said he cut the tire off the rim and disposed of it, then gave the rim to his brother to sell at the scrap yard.

The Matthews brothers were arraigned Tuesday night by on-duty District Judge Robert Hawke of Lehigh Township.

Jeffrey was charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief. William was charged with receiving stolen property.

Jeffrey was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $8,000 bail. William was released on $8,000 unsecured bail.