Norristown Man Charged in Alleged Scrap Metal Theft

The building alarm went off at Del-Val International Truck on Bethlehem Pike on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2:17 a.m., and K9 Duke and handler Officer Daniel Rose sprung into action.

Duke got track of a scent at the 1034 Bethlehem Pike facility, and it led him to a metal storage container outside of the building.

As Duke and Rose approached, 29-year-old Jack Lee McAfee, of Norristown, allegedly sprang up out of the container, hands up, police said.

McAfee allegedly admitted to attempting to steal scrap metal from the same container, police said.

Next to the container — 25 pieces of scrap metal, police said, that were allegedly removed by McAfee.

Nearby, on the property, was McAfee's vehicle, with scrap metal in it, police said.

McAfee was arrested and charged with misdemeanor criminal attempted theft and defiant trespassing, according to court records. He was arraigned before District Judge Kathleen Valentine, who set bail at $5,000 cash. McAfee was remanded to Montgomery County prison.

A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 17 at 1:45 p.m. before District Judge Andrea Duffy.

McAfee is awaiting a preliminary hearing on Dec. 17 for an arrest by Pennsylvania State Police for misdemeanor criminal theft by deception and misdemeanor receiving stolen property from June 11, 2012, according to court records.