Tamaqua police have charged Jason Michael Renninger, 41, of West White Street, Summit Hill, with theft, receiving stolen property, damage to railroad property and driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked.

On Aug. 12 at 2:10 p.m. officers received information that a property owner from South Greenwood Street reported a vehicle stuck on the railroad tracks. The property owner also said he saw the vehicle had a large piece of steel cement chute from his property on the back of it.

The property owner was able to follow the vehicle up Hazle Street and got the license plate number. He then lost sight of the vehicle. He described the vehicle as a gray SUV with the rear window smashed out and two flat tires.

Two witnesses told responding officers they saw the vehicle in question going east on Hazle Street with two flat tires. The vehicle was later found in the area of 1011 East Broad Street. In the driver’s seat was Renninger. He was taken into custody. Police observed a large piece of steel in the back hatch area and damage to the vehicle. Renninger admitted several times to taking the item but insisted he didn’t steal it, only took it for scrap.

A representative of the railroad confirmed Renninger was not allowed on railroad property and the original victim of the stolen chute confirmed it was his.