A driving under the influence arrest on July 17 led to the discovery of stolen bank cards, some of which were taken from a vehicle while the owners were camping on the Appalachian Trail.
Fleetwood Borough Police report that Joseph Weiss, Ocean Gate, N.J., was found passed out in a vehicle on Weaver Road, Richmond Township, and upon being roused by police he immediately started the vehicle and attempted to put the vehicle in gear.
“The subject displayed signs of being under the influence of an intoxicant and drug paraphernalia was visible in plain view,” reported Chief Steven Stinsky in the report.
Weiss was placed under arrest for DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana.
“At the time of his arrest the subject was found to be in possession of several visa or debit cards in other people’s names.”
Weiss was transported to the Berks County Central Processing Center and released to the custody of the Berks County Sheriff’s Department for the DUI and drug related charges. He was remanded to Berks County Prison in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.
On Monday morning, July 18, coordination with banking representatives resulted in locating the owners of the bank cards.
“Coordination with the owners of the cards determined that some of them came from four wallets that were stolen from a vehicle while the owners were camping on the Appalachian Trail. One of them was lost or stolen at the Turkey Hill in Fleetwood and one of them was stolen from the owner’s wallet while he was working at a construction site with the accused,” reported Stinsky.
“These discoveries led to an additional criminal complaint being filed for receiving stolen property and access device fraud charges being filed against Weiss,” according to the report.
Weiss remains in Berks County Prison with bail set at $25,000 cash for the additional charges.
Additional items were seized from Weiss’ vehicle during the service of a search warrant.
“Subsequent investigation has determined that some of the items are stolen and that at least one of the cards had been used after it was stolen from the owner. Investigation continues and additional charges are likely,” reported Stinsky.
