2 accused of fleeing retail theft in stolen U-Haul in Berks

A man and woman are in custody on charges they stole items from Boscov’s East in Exeter Township, then fled in a stolen U-Haul truck.

According to court documents:

Matthew Gay, 33, and Jamie Roberts, 26, both of Athens, Bradford County, entered Boscov’s East in the 4500 block of Perkiomen Avenue just before 12:15 p.m. Thursday.

The pair filled a shopping cart with clothing and jewelry, walked out of the store without paying and got into a U-Haul truck parked outside. The total value of the items taken was $566.

Before they fled, Gay was confronted by a Boscov’s loss prevention officer but refused commands to stay on the scene.

The truck they fled in had been reported stolen in New York on Wednesday.

Police found Gay later that day at Exeter Family Restaurant in the 4800 block of Perkiomen Avenue. As an officer attempted to place handcuffs on him, Gay broke lose and tried to run from the restaurant.

The officer was able to chase Gay down before he reached the exit and take him into custody.

Police found Roberts sitting in the truck outside of Mama’s Famous Pizza and Grill in the first block of West 47th Street. She was taken into custody without incident.

Police found a glass pipe and a straw containing methamphetamine residue in the truck.

Gay was arraigned Thursday in Reading Central Court in front of District Judge Michael Chieffo on charges of conspiracy to receive stolen property, escape, conspiracy to commit unauthorized use of a vehicle, resisting arrest, evading arrest, possessing marijuana, possessing a controlled substance, possessing drug paraphernalia and conspiracy to commit retail theft.

He was placed in Berks County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Roberts also was arraigned Thursday by Chieffo on charges conspiracy to receive stolen property, conspiracy to commit retail theft, conspiracy to commit unauthorized use of a vehicle, conspiracy to possess drug paraphernalia and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance.

She was placed in the county prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Source: Berkshire mont