David Blew Jr., of Tuscarora, is in jail on charges he broke into a home Sept. 29 and stole copper piping, Tamaqua police said.

When police spoke to Blew, he was cutting up copper piping while in the parking lot of a local business, police said.

According to police, officers were called for a report of a burglary on the 500 block of Rolling Mill Avenue. The witness followed the man, Blew, who was pulling a blue wagon on the streets.

Police said they spoke to Blew and noticed that his wagon was full of copper piping, elbows and valves. Also inside were bolt cutters and other tools.

Asked where he got the piping, Blew said it was from the home of a man who was moving away. The witness, however, said she saw Blew exit from the rear of a condemned home with the wagon.

When officers again asked Blew where he had gotten the copper, he said he found it in the wagon on Rolling Mill Avenue.

Officers placed Blew under arrest and found he was in possession of electrical tape and headlamps. They also spoke to the home’s owner, who said no one was allowed inside the property.

Police said the copper is valued at $84.

Blew was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, possession instruments of crime, theft and criminal mischief.

He was committed to the Schuylkill County Prison on $25,000 straight bail.