A Lehighton man has been charged with lying about the theft of a generator for which he refused to make payments on.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by patrolman Justus Altmiller of the Lehighton Borough Police Department in the case against Eric Williams:

On Aug. 6, police were dispatched to the 300 block of South Third Street for a reported theft.

Williams, 51, claimed that a black and yellow Firemen generator he had been renting from Rent a Center had been stolen out of his basement.

He said the last time he had seen the generator was a week before reporting the theft, making the time of his claim around July 30.

The property owner claimed the property had been “locked up” since that time. He said it was stolen by a man and woman, and claimed he knew they had been staying in his basement.

When asked how he knew this, he could provide no proof, nor had he actually seen them on the property. Upon further inspection of the property, no signs of forced entry could be found.

Police checked security cameras in the neighborhood and talked to neighbors. One said he had seen Williams and two others, Emily Williams, 23, and Auston Williams, 20, loading the generator into the back of a white van.

The footage shows on Aug. 4, Williams and two others loading a generator matching the description of the one that they were claiming was stolen, into the back of a white van.

Altmiller followed up with the Rent a Center where they had rented the generator from. Records showed Williams had rented the generator on May 22, and made one payment of $34 and then stopped paying.

The Rent a Center records show between Williams’ first missed payment of June 3, and Aug. 11, over 30 attempt were made to contact him with no response.

Williams has not responded to any attempts by the police for information.

Eric Williams faces charges of false report - falsely incriminate another; theft of leased property; and criminal conspiracy engaging.

Emily and Auston Williams have also been charged with criminal conspiracy aiding - theft of leased property.

All three are scheduled to have their preliminary hearings Oct. 4 before District Magistrate Eric M. Schrantz of Jim Thorpe.