A Perkasie man is facing charges after he allegedly stole several items from a garage on South Main Street and then attempted to sell them on Facebook Marketplace.
Police said they were contacted by a man on June 30 who stated he was helping his family clean out his grandfather’s home when he realized a lawnmower and weedwhacker were missing from the garage. A second lawnmower was also reported missing, as well as a road bicycle.
The total value of stolen items was $7,700, police said.
Later that day, the man contacted police again to report he had located a similar lawnmower and weedwhacker for sale on Facebook Marketplace, with the items being listed by Mark Arnold, 50, of Perkasie, according to charging documents. Police said they went to Arnold’s home on Dorchester Drive and observed both lawnmowers in the front yard, and upon making contact with Arnold, they were allegedly directed to the stolen bicycle and weedwhacker inside of a vehicle at his home.
Arnold allegedly told police that he drove by the home around 12:30 a.m. that morning and observed a large sign at the curb stating “free” with items in front of it. Arnold added that he returned to the home approximately one hour later, observed the garage door was open with a light on inside, and he subsequently removed the items, according to the criminal complaint.
Police said Arnold told them since he observed the “free” sign on the curb, he believed everything on the property and inside the garage was free. Arnold added that he knocked on the door and left two notes — one on a vehicle in the driveway and one on the garage door — however the victims said they did not find any notes, according to police.
The criminal complaint notes that the “free” sign on the curb was located 54 feet from the garage door.
Felony charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, and theft by unlawful taking were filed against Arnold on July 3, and he was arraigned on July 6 by Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage, who set bail at $25,000 unsecured.
His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on July 25 at 3:45 p.m. in front of Judge Armitage.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Bucks County Woman Locked Her Two Young Kids in Shed, Threatened to Kill Them, Police Say
Former Employee Accused of Stealing More Than $43,000 from Daycare Facility in Franconia
Former Souderton Band Instructor Accused of Sexually Assaulting Female Student
