Jul 2, 2015 2 min read

A 28-year-old man who lists addresses in Houston and Canonsburg was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly stole copper pipe and wiring from a Chartiers Township home and a tent frame from the Canonsburg borough garage.

Brett Matthew Mechtel was charged by Chartiers police with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property. Canonsburg police charged him with criminal trespass and theft.

Chartiers police were called May 15 to a house in the 100 block of South Johnson Road for a reported break-in. When the officers arrived, they found the rear door was forced open. Police entered the home and discovered copper pipes were cut and piled in a back room. Electric wires also were cut from a breaker box. Police also saw a duffel bag inside the house.

Detectives returned and checked around the house. They said they spotted Mechtel pushing a bicycle in front of Canon Mac Metal on Houston-Hill Church Road. The detectives said he was carrying the duffel bag they saw in the house and placed it on a scale. Mechtel was asked to come out of the building and talk to the detectives. After being read his rights, Mechtel allegedly admitted to breaking into the house.

Mechtel also is accused of stealing the tent frame from the borough garage Sept. 2. Witnesses told police they saw a man, later identified as Mechtel, enter the building and come out with the frame.

Mechtel was arraigned on the charges before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County jail on $20,000 bond. He also is in jail on a bench warrant. He is scheduled for a hearing before Mark on July 29.