Man charged in Montrose thefts

BY STACI WILSON

Montrose police arrested a 20-year-old man for a number of thefts from vehicles in the borough on Apr. 12.

Paul Wetherill III, Montrose, was charged by Chief Dale Smith with burglary, theft from motor vehicles and access device fraud in connection with the incidents.

Wetherill waived his preliminary hearing, Monday, in Montrose District Court. He is being held on $7500 bail.

His request to reduce the bail was denied by District Judge Jeffrey Hollister.

According to the police affidavit, the thefts occurred on Lake Ave., Locust, High and Griffis streets.

Items taken from nine vehicles included a DVD player; a class ring; an Ipod;  GPS devices; sunglasses; lighters; binoculars; cash; and a wallet containing identification and credit cards.

One of the victims reported to police on Apr. 13 that his bank informed him there was an unauthorized attempt to use one of the cards at the HoMart in Montrose. The purchase attempt was denied by the store and Wetherill was identified as the person who tried to use the card.

Police were given permission to search Wetherill’s Lake Ave. residence and located the items taken, minus the money and sunglasses.

In a police interview, according to the affidavit, Wetherill admitted he entered the vehicles in the Lake Ave. area.