Alberto Perez-Cuenca, 33, Tamaqua, was committed to Schuylkill County Prison on charges that he stole a vehicle and later got into a fight with the vehicle’s owner and his family, Tamaqua police said.

According to police, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Orwigsburg Street around 2:40 a.m. Dec. 18 for a report of a stolen vehicle.

Family members said they started the car to warm it up before it would be driven to work. They told police that the vehicle was missing a short time later.

At 3:45 a.m., police were sent back to the address for a report that the vehicle was returned and a fight was underway.

Family members told police that the man who took the car, later identified as Perez-Cuenca, was across the street. Police took him into custody.

According to police, family members said they saw Perez-Cuenca return and exit the vehicle. When they yelled to him, he returned to the vehicle and attempted to put it in reverse. The vehicle owner reached through the window and shut it off. As he did, an argument ensued between Perez-Cuenca and family members. Perez-Cuenca struck a man in the head and pushed a woman to the ground.

At the police station, Perez-Cuenca told police that he was “tired and his head was a little fuzzy.” He thought that one of his old friends asked him to take a joy ride, and took the vehicle for a ride before returning.

He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge A.J. Serina on charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and harassment. Perez-Cuenca was unable to post $50,000 cash bail.