Man Accused of Stealing $3,000 in Metal From S.R. Recycling

Police in have charged a man with stealing nearly $3,000 worth of metal from a recycling center.

Jeremy Ortiz, 19, of 326 Laurelane Road, Moore Township, was charged Monday with burglary, theft, criminal trespass, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and conspiracy, according to court documents.

Police say Ortiz was one of three men responsible for two reported thefts from at 400 Daniels Road in Bushkill. In the first theft, reported April 28, the men allegedly took $1,925 worth of metal. Three days later, the company reported another $925 worth of metal missing.

Court records say police tracked Ortiz -- and co-defendants Roberto Ortiz and William Merkel, who have already been charged -- after investigators identified a pick-up truck they traced to an acquaintance.

The metal that was stolen included copper wire, brass shell casings and aluminium rims and radiators. Ortiz was arraigned before District Judge Gay Elwell in Easton and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.