A Tamaqua man has been charged with theft and criminal mischief in connection with an incident on Oct. 14.

Police received a call at 8:55 a.m. about a man sleeping in a car in the parking lot of a drugstore on Center Street. The victim told officers his white Chevrolet had been locked when he parked it, but that at some point someone broke in and destroyed the back seat before falling asleep inside the car. The sleeping man was identified as Lester Willis Deitrich, 47, of Spruce Street.

While taking Deitrich into custody, officers found a syringe, two empty plastic baggies and a spoon in his jacket pocket. There was also approximately $8 in change, which the victim said had been in the car.

Deitrich was charged with theft from a motor vehicle, criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia.