A homeless man has been charged with stealing a cellphone during an incident in Lehighton.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by patrolman Ivan Centeno of the Lehighton Borough Police Department in the case against Johnathan Heller:

Around 12:30 p.m. Oct. 21, the victim walked into the Lehighton Borough Police Department to report a stolen phone.

He said that he was walking south on First Street at 12:20 p.m. and took out his phone to call his brother when an unknown man wearing tan-green shorts with a blue shirt and a backpack approached him in front of 165 S. First St. while traveling north.

Police said Heller, 44, said, “Give me that phone” and snatched it out of his hand.

Centeno drove around the area but did not see the suspect.

At 4:54 p.m., Centeno was dispatched to the area of Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard and Bankway Street where he saw Heller walking south on the highway at East Bridge Street across from the J&K Cigarette Outlet at 80 E. Bridge St.

Heller told police, “I’m going to be (expletive) anyway. I snatched a phone from this old guy and I have it in my bag.” He then handed the phone to Arner.

He was charged with receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking.

Heller was freed in lieu of $25,000 unsecured bail.

According to court papers, Heller waived the charges in a preliminary hearing on Oct. 30 before District Judge Eric C. Schrantz of Jim Thorpe.

His formal arraignment in the case has been scheduled for Jan. 9.