CATAWISSA - A 19-year-old Catawissa man accused of stealing rifles, copper piping and tools from 10 local properties this summer was arraigned Tuesday on approximately 50 counts, including burglary.
Dylan Anthony Eck, of 2201 Mill Road, was committed to Columbia County Prison in Bloomsburg after failing to post 10 percent of his $50,000 bail at his 3:15 p.m. arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Craig Long.
Eck, who was represented by Attorney Kim Hill of Bloomsburg, politely answered questions posed by the judge and said he understood his rights and the severity of the charges, which were filed by Locust Township Patrolman Joshua Laidacker.
According to a criminal complaint, Eck allegedly committed the offenses between June 27 and July 30 at cabins, garages, a house, an old school house and from one vehicle in Locust, Cleveland and Roaring Creek townships.
The defendant told the judge he is unemployed and had worked at Numidia Raceway earlier this summer. Eck said his only prior arrest came at age 16 for possessing marijuana.
Laidacker, who said Eck voluntarily turned himself over to authorities, did not oppose Hill's request to have bail set at $50,000, with the stipulation that his client would only have to post 10 percent ($5,000). Long, who said the most serious charge of burglary carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, then set Eck's preliminary hearing for 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15.
Eck and Hill declined comment after the arraignment. Eck's father also was in attendance and declined comment.
Laidacker said a male juvenile was charged by Chief of Police Allen Breach with similar offenses in connection with one of the burglaries.
Police said Eck and his silver Pontiac Sunfire were identified on camera at the scene of two of the burglaries. Police said Eck admitted to committing the burglaries.
Break-in break-down
Eck is charged with 10 felony counts each of burglary, criminal trespass and receiving stolen property; 12 felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, six misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and one misdemeanor count of theft from a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia and possessing instruments of crime.
Here are details on where the crimes allegedly occurred and what was taken:
- Eck is accused of breaking into a cottage at 2393 Mill Road in Locust Township owned by Thomas Moroz, and stealing a Marlin .22-caliber rifle, a Benjamin .177 air rifle with a scope, two 250-foot spools of copper wire and 30 to 40 feet of copper piping. Police said Eck also is charged with causing $1,300 damage to a door at the cottage.
- Police reported Eck removed 32 items, including power tools, hand tools and gasoline cans, from a garage at 7 Jefferson Road in Cleveland Township owned by Isaac Beaver. The items are valued at $2,680.81. Police said Eck used bolt cutters to cut locks on cabinets to gain access.
- The defendant allegedly broke into the old Fisherdale School House at 234 Fisherdale Road in Cleveland Township and removed a large antique copper bowl valued at $225. He also is accused of smashing a side window at the former school house, which is owned by Roaring Creek Historical Society.
- He's charged with using bolt cutters to cut a chain lock on a gate at the entrance to High Mountain Acres in Roaring Creek Township, breaking into a cabin owned by Eugene Abraczinkas and stealing two bottles of vodka. He also is accused of breaking a door at the cabin, causing approximately $300 damage.
- He is accused of breaking into another cabin on High Mountain Acres owned by James Yost and stealing a coyote skin and mink skin valued at $100.
- Police said Eck stole several cans of gas, extension cords and a 150-foot roll of residential wire valued at $236 from a garage at 1519 Old Reading Road in Roaring Creek Township owned by Richard Dewald. Eck also allegedly stole three large extension cords, two cans of gas and a heavy-duty, four-connector receptacle connector having a total value of $209.52. The garage is attached to the residence of Douglas Carl, of 1551 Old Reading Road.
- Police reported Eck removed several large extension cords from a truck owned by Edwin Scott Hoffman, who operates Hoffman Builders at 1778 Old Reading Road. Eck also is accused of stealing several spools of residential wire and extension cords from Hoffman's tool shed. The total value of the stolen items is $616.
- Eck allegedly stole $2,900 worth of newly installed wires and caused approximately $850 in damage at the home of Lisa Miller, 72 Ideal Park Road, Locust Township.
- Police said Eck broke into a cabin at 84 High Mountain Acres and stole a Ruger .22-caliber rifle, 25-round magazine for a .22-caliber rifle, two 10-round magazines for a .22-caliber rifle, a portable cable receptacle for a Sony camcorder and a case of Pepsi soda.