Man Stole $359 from Hellertown Library, Police Say

Written by Jack Tobias

An 18-year-old man admitted to police he broke into the Hellertown Area Library last week and used keys he found in a desk drawer to open a safe and steal $359 inside, court records say.

The records also say Timothy Jay Keck, of the 1700 block of Mount Pleasant Road, Lower Saucon Township, deposited the money the next day into a bank account he shares with his father.

In June, Keck was charged by Lower Saucon police with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, online records show.

In the library case, Keck’s parents have been cooperating with police, according to the records, which indicate that his father provided a bank statement related to his son’s apparent deposit and that his mother returned the library keys to police.

The library, which is located at 409 Constitution Ave., was closed when the alleged theft occurred.

Borough Patrolman John Donato wrote in a criminal complaint that he was at the library on Monday to investigate an attempted break-in when he learned of the Monday, Aug. 5 theft, which was already under investigation.

Donato eventually interviewed Keck, who allegedly admitted entering the library the evening of Aug. 5.

He reportedly gained entrance through an unlocked basement door.

Keck was charged with burglary and criminal trespass—both felonies—as well as theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

He was arraigned Monday night by District Judge Todd Strohe of Bangor and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing related to Keck's pending charges in Lower Saucon Township is scheduled for Sept. 3 before District Judge David Tidd.