Full Notification

**Important advisory for Upper Macungie residents who may have been victims of theft during August 2008-April 2009 **
I was contacted today by an Upper Macungie Crime Watch member who advised that he had been the victim of a theft at his residence during Easter weekend, 2009. Specifically, the thieves had stolen items from his yard and his shed. On October 24th, 2009, the victim stated he read an article in the Morning Call newspaper, which described a recent arrest by the Pennsylvania State Police that involved two suspects stealing items in the Lehigh Valley area. Although the article did NOT list Upper Macungie Township as one of the areas hit by the actors, the victim contacted the police and was surprised to hear that they did in fact have some of his stolen items, which he has since recovered. In an attempt to be a good neighbor and crime watch member, he contacted me and asked that I share this information with you.
Please read the following article and keep in mind that these actors WERE in Upper Macungie Township and did commit at least one theft. If you believe you may have been one of the victims, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police Hazelton Barracks, and request Trooper J. Surmick (570-459-3890).
Thank you and keep up the great work!
Wanted by police: Owners to claim items
Troopers are trying to return thousands of dollars worth of items taken between August 2008 and April 2009.

Missing an ATV? What about a motorcycle? Or perhaps tools, a generator or a riding mower?

Did you notice they went missing sometime between August 2008 and April?

Then you may be able to recover your stolen goods.

State police at Hazleton are trying to track down the owners of items collectively worth thousands of dollars allegedly stolen by two men charged with taking guns, tools and other items from vehicles, porches and sheds in municipalities including Allentown, Emmaus, Hellertown, Quakertown, Macungie and Palmerton.

Edwin Juan Torres, 30, was arrested April 15 at his residence at 194 Ten Point Lane in Lausanne Township, Carbon County, after police interviewed him about a stolen log splitter.

A vehicle allegedly involved in that theft was traced by police to Michael Allen Stewart, 37, of 330 Centre St. in Freeland, Luzerne County. Police called Stewart, who later turned himself in and was charged.

According to trooper James Surmick, Torres had settled on a rural piece of property, and he and Stewart kept the stolen goods there.

They were charged with multiple counts of receiving stolen property, transferring stolen firearms and running a chop shop. Both have been in Carbon County prison since their April arrest.

''What I am looking to do now is to reunite the owner with the recovered stolen items,'' Surmick said. ''Anyone who may have been a victim can call me direct.''

Surmick can be reached at 570-459-3890. Claimants must be able to provide a detailed description of the stolen item or proof of ownership.

According to an affidavit filed in district court in Weatherly, Carbon County, the following items were among the stolen things:

Six ATVs and one dirt bike from the Allentown and Quakertown areas;

Two shotguns from a truck in Allentown;

A riding lawmower and trailer from Freeland.

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