Tamaqua man gets prison in theft of stroller, air conditioners, other items

A Tamaqua man who stole a baby stroller and five air conditioners, a cellphone and a check will spend up to three years in state prison.

Russell J. Nelson, 37, was charged by borough police with criminal trespass, theft, and receiving stolen property on March 4, 2017; with theft and receiving stolen property on Jan. 13, 2017; and with theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property on Sept. 14, 2016.

Russell pleaded guilty to theft in each of the cases. The remaining charges were dropped.

Schuylkill County Judge John E. Domalakes sentenced him to 1½ to three years in prison and pay $1,380 in restitution.

Nelson took the air conditioners and stroller, along with an aluminum screen door and an air compressor from a vacant VanGelder Street home on March 4, 2017.

On Jan. 13, 2017, police say he failed to return a cellphone to its owner. Nelson picked up the phone in the parking lot at 222 E. Broad St. after the owner dropped it on his way to his car.

Nelson stole a check on Sept. 14, 2016.

In the second, police alleged he stole a cellphone on Jan. 13, 2017.

In the third, they alleged Nelson stole five air conditioners, an air compressor and a baby stroller on March 4, 2017.

The 2016 charges stemmed from the theft of a check.