Crime & Safety
Upper Saucon Man Charged With Stealing from Relatives
Joshua N. Wentz allegedly admitted taking about $33,000 in jewelry, guns and other valuables from his uncle and grandmother to pay for his drug habit, police say.
Joshua N. Wentz, 20, of Applebutter Hill Road in Upper Saucon Township, faces charges in the theft of about $33,000 worth of jewelry, firearms, a laptop and Wii gaming system, according to a police affidavit.
Township police said the alleged thefts occurred over several months, beginning in January. Wentz's uncle, Paul Wentz, and grandmother, Sharel Wentz, reported jewelry missing from their home on Applebutter Hill Road on January 23 and reported more valuables stolen on March 20, April 25 and Sept. 13, the affidavit said.
In a separate investigation, state police and a Quakertown officer interviewed Joshua Wentz on another matter and he allegedly admitted taking the items belonging to his uncle. On Oct. 20, he reportedly told police he took the valuables from both his uncle and grandmother, whom he lives with. Police say he told them he sold the goods to support his heroin habit.
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Joshua Wentz was charged with five counts of theft and five counts of receiving stolen property. He was sent to Lehigh County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Lehigh County Court.