A man and woman are accused of stealing holiday gifts that were left for trash collectors in Chester County.
On Monday at 12:19 a.m., Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police officers responded to the 1200 block of Upton Circle in East Goshen Township after a resident spotted a man searching through trash cans that were placed out in the neighborhood for trash collection.
When police arrived they found a Ford Explorer illegally parked on Upton Circle with a woman sitting in the front passenger seat. Police confronted her and a short time later the man who had been spotted searching through the trash cans approached the officers, according to investigators.
Police identified the suspects as Joshua Swavely, 28, of Narvon, Pennsylvania and Kimberly Verdi, 30, of Essington, Pennsylvania. Investigators say the duo came to East Goshen Township to look for gifts and tips left by residents for the trash collectors. Swavely and Verdi also allegedly committed similar thefts on MacKenzie Drive in West Goshen Township.
Swavely and Verdi were both arrested and charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, loitering and prowling at night. Swavely was also charged with driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.
The two were processed and released pending summons.
Officials advise residents who want to tip trash collectors or give them gifts to either hand deliver the gift directly to the team or contact the proper trash hauler for the jurisdiction.
