According to court documents, the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 32-year-old Joseph William Gerg, of Punxsutawney.
According to a criminal complaint, on Friday, July 7, a known man reported the theft of his prescription medication at his residence on Beyer Avenue – which is a communal housing property.
The victim stated that around 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 6, he took his medication packs and noticed that some of his pills were missing including some prescribed controlled substances, the complaint indicates.
The victim indicated that on the morning of July 7, he observed his dresser drawer was ajar and that his medications were taken again. Later that day, Officer Brudnock conducted a formal interview with Joseph Gerg, who lives in the same residence as the victim, the complaint continues.
Gerg allegedly confessed to stealing the victim’s medication and subsequently provided a written statement. Gerg reported that he went into the victim’s locker and took his medication. Gerg reported that he consumed the Oxycontin and discarded the rest of the medication in a ditch. Other medications that Gerg took from the victim were recovered in Gerg’s room, according to the complaint.
Based on the investigation, Punxsutawney Boro Police Department filed the following charges against Gerg in Magisterial District Judge Douglas Robert Chambers:
- Theft by Unlawful Taking Movable Property, Misdemeanor 3
- Receiving Stolen Property, Misdemeanor 3
- Intentional Possession of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on August 23 with Judge Chambers presiding.