Tamaqua man is charged with theft of cellphone charger

Refusing to return a borrowed cellphone charger resulted in criminal charges for a Tamaqua teen.

The charger's owner contacted police at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 to ask for charges to be filed against Gabriel Jordan Hoch, 19, of 63 Hunter St.

The victim said Hoch was at her home four days previously when his cellphone needed to be charged. Her mother allowed Hoch to use the charger, stipulating that he return it as soon as his phone was charged. When Hoch left the home the phone was still not fully charged. He said he'd finish charging it at home and return it the next day.

Instead he kept the charger, making excuses as to why he couldn't return it. First, he said the cat ate it. Then he denied ever having it.

Officers went to the Hunter Street home where they were told Hoch was staying temporarily. The residents did remember a cellphone charger, saying it was still in the apartment. Officers took the charger and took it to the victim, who identified it as her property.

Hoch was charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.