09 October 2023- A Mercersburg man is looking at felony charges after he admits to police he “was snooping around” following an arrest for burglary and theft. Thomas Paul Koppenhaver is charged with felony burglary, misdemeanor criminal trespassing, misdemeanor theft, misdemeanor theft of a secondary metal, misdemeanor drug possession, and three vehicle violations. Koppenhaver failed to post bail of $15,000.
Around 2:15pm on October 7th, PSP Troopers were dispatched to a reported burglary in progress at a home on Jack Road. According to the caller, a blue SUV was parked in the the rear of an outbuilding and someone was breaking into the buildings.
When police arrived, they allegedly found a man on scene and subsequently took him into custody. The man, now identified as Thomas Koppenhaver, was asked what he was doing on the property to which he said, “I was snooping around”.
Inside of Koppenhaver’s vehicle police allegedly found a bucket containing copper fittings, a bucket of chisels, stainless steel pipes, miscellaneous tools, and eight wooden boards. Police spoke to the victim, who allegedly told them that all of the previously mentioned items were hers and that she didn’t know Koppenhaver. Additionally, the victim told police that more items were missing but weren’t inside of Koppenhaver’s vehicle. She allegedly surmised that they were taken from the scene on a separate date and time.
Thomas Koppenhaver is behind bars on $15,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is set for October 17th.
Sources: Docket Number: MJ-39304-CR-0000260-2023, Incident No.: PA 2023-1315100
