Man jailed for Tamaqua theft

A former Tuscarora resident was placed in the Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville, after a purse snatching incident in Tamaqua on May 20.

Kevin Nicholas Machay, 24, was caught, on video surveillance, removing a woman's purse from a red Pontiac parked at the gas pumps at the Tamaqua Turkey Hill, 330 E. Broad St.

The driver had just put gas in the car and went into the store to make payment. When she returned to the car she noticed her denim bag was missing from the front seat. She immediately contacted police, who reviewed the surveillance video. Machay was identified from the video and located a short time later. He told police he used the cash in the purse to purchase food, then tossed the purse in a wooded area.

The handbag was recovered, minus $28 in cash.

Machay was arraigned before duty District Judge James Reiley of Pottsville, who set bail at $20,000 straight cash, resulting in Machay's trip to the prison.