Shrubs and Jewelry Removed from Palmer Home, Police Say

A Wilson borough man who was hired by a Palmer Township woman to trim bushes and clean roof gutters at her house removed more than just yard waste during his visit in March, according to police.

Justin C. Roth, 27, of 1800 Washington Blvd., is also accused of taking more than $3,000 worth of gold jewelry from inside the Agnes Street home, according to court papers.

Then, the arrest affidavit says, Roth took the items to Saks Jewelers in Wilson and to the Easton Exchange on Centre Square in Easton and sold them for cash—obtaining a total of $490 for the stolen items, which included four gold necklaces and numerous pendants and charms.

According to the affidavit:

• Palmer Township police found the items at the two establishments and, through store records, were able to determine that it was Roth who brought them there.
• Roth had cleaned gutters at the victim’s home in January after she responded to an ad he had placed in Treasure Hunt. She called again in March when she needed more work done, including a trimming of yard shrubs.
• During a visit on March 11, Roth told the victim that he needed access to an electrical outlet to work on the shrubs.
• Since there was no outside outlet at the home, the victim showed Roth how to find a hidden door key, which allowed him access to the inside of a finished basement near the back yard.
• Roth returned to do the work on March 14. The victim noticed items missing from her jewelry box on March 17.

Roth was arrested Thursday night and charged with three felony offenses—burglary, theft and criminal trespass—and a misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property.

He was arraigned before night-duty District Judge David Tidd of Lower Saucon Township and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.