A Tamaqua man was caught removing items from a vacant home on Van Gelder Street on March 4, earning him a stay in the Schuylkill County prison in Pottsville.

Police were called to 242 Van Gelder St. at 10:56 a.m. after a neighbor saw people removing things from the unoccupied home. Officers found a Chevrolet S-10 pick up truck parked partially on the sidewalk. The driver said he was helping a friend move. That friend turned out to be Russell Jacob Nelson, 36, who has no known permanent address.Nelson told the officer he was cleaning up before moving in, claiming he had a lease.The property owner was contacted and denied renting to Nelson saying no one had permission to be in the home.Items known to be taken from the house include five air conditioner units, an aluminum screen door, a baby stroller and an air compressor with a total value estimated at over $1,200.Nelson was arraigned before duty District Magisterial Judge James Ferrier, of Orwigsburg, on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. Bail was set at $10,000 straight, which he was unable to post.