Pair Busted For Stealing Trash Collector Holiday Gifts In Chesco

A man and woman have been arrested and charged for allegedly stealing holiday gifts and tips left for trash collectors in a Chester County municipality, according to authorities.

The Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department announced Joshua Michael Swavely, 28, of Narvon, Pennsylvania, and Kimberly A. Verdi, 30, of Essington, were arrested on Monday, Dec. 11 for numerous crimes related to the gift thefts.

The duo were charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, loitering and prowling at night, police said. Swavely was also charged with driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, police said.

At about 12:19 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, police were called to the 1200 block of Upton Circle in East Goshen for a report of suspicious activity. The person reporting the activity told police he saw a man searching trash cans that were left out for collection.

When police showed up to the area, they found a Ford Explorer parked on Upton Circle with a woman, later identified as Verdi, in the vehicle. A man, later identified as Swavely, came up to the vehicle while police were on scene.

Police said they determined Swavely was the man seen rummaging through the trash cans, looking for holiday gifts or tips left for trash collectors.

Police believe that before the pair came to East Goshen, they committed similar thefts on MacKenzie Drive in West Goshen Township.

After the pair were processed they were released pending a court summons.

The police department is reminding residents that the safest way to tip trash collectors or provide them with holiday gifts is to either hand deliver the gift directly to the team or contact the proper trash hauler for the jurisdiction.

Images via Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department