A volunteer firefighter foiled an attempt Tuesday afternoon by two Reading men to help themselves to a cache of aluminum cans stored outside the Womelsdorf Fire Company, authorities said.
Womelsdorf Police Chief John K. Reber credited Ryan Zerbe, a Womelsdorf firefighter, with taking action that led to the apprehension of the men.
"He observed them loading the cans into a truck and called police," Reber said. "He detained them at the scene until police arrived."
Jorge G. Rivera, 20, of the 100 block of South Third Street, and Alex J. Mojica, 22, of the 1100 block of Chester Street were arrested at the scene, Reber said.
They were taken to Reading Central Court, where they were awaiting arraignment on theft charges late Tuesday.
According to Reber:
The men rented a box-type delivery truck and drove to the fire company about noon.
The pair began loading aluminum cans onto the truck from a storage bin. The fire company collects cans as a fundraiser and stores them near its headquarters.
"They had about half of the cans loaded on the truck," Reber said, "and were in the process of loading the rest."
The bin contained about 700 pounds of aluminum valued at about $800.
Zerbe spotted the men about 12:30 and detained them until police arrived.
"He did an excellent job," Reber said. "Without him, they would not have been apprehended."
Police from Tulpehocken, Heidelberg and Millcreek townships assisted at the scene
Copyright 2012 - Reading Eagle, Pa.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
