A Tamaqua man was jailed on charges he broke into the basement of an apartment building on the unit block of Lafayette Street.

Matthew Kern, 32, was arraigned on counts of criminal trespass/break into structure, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and defiant trespass before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli.

Kern was sent to the Schuylkill County Prison after failing to post $15,000 cash bail.

Tamaqua police said they were called to the building around 4 p.m. March 8 by the property owner. The owner told officers that a door lock and door frame to the basement was broken, and that he found clothing and mail inside.

Police said the mail was addressed to Kern, who had lived at an apartment there with his family until he was arrested and jailed following a Feb. 25 domestic violence incident.

Around 6 p.m., officers were sent back to the address for a report of an unwanted person.

Upon arrival, officers saw Kern standing on the steps outside his family’s second-floor apartment.

Police said he refused to come down to officers, so officers placed him in handcuffs for the trespassing incident.

Kern admitted to breaking into the basement because he needed somewhere to sleep, police said.