Two Tamaqua men face charges in connection with the theft, and subsequent sale, of copper piping from a Nesquehoning residence in May.

Cody Deetz, 19, and Anthony Napolitano, 29, were implicated in the case by Deetz's 17-year-old girlfriend, according to Nesquehoning police officer Dane O'Brien.According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by O'Brien, a borough resident called police to report finding several drug related items at his former residence on East Mill Street at 3:18 p.m. on May 17.The resident also told police copper piping had been removed from the basement and someone had forced their way in the home through a rear basement window.The caller reportedly suspected his 17-year-old daughter of taking the copper pipe because, "she made mention of doing so in the past."Police interviewed Deetz, boyfriend of the daughter, on May 24 and he denied any involvement in the incident.Shortly after speaking with Deetz, however, police interviewed his girlfriend, who told police the duo planned to steal the pipe "so they could move into their own apartment."They had previously lived together but were thrown out of their former residence on May 3.Police said the piping was transported toEastern Metal Recycling Company in McAdoo on May 5, when Deetz's friend, Napolitano, cashed it in for $125.Deetz faces two counts each of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief, and one count of tampering with physical evidence.Napolitano faces one count each of receiving stolen property and tampering with physical evidence.A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek.