Man caught after allegedly stealing fishing hooks
OAKLAND TWP — State police reeled in an alleged repeat shoplifter suspected of angling for free fishing tackle.
Mark A. Koebler, 43, of Oakland was caught last week allegedly pocketing fishing hooks and mealworms at the University Korner store on Route 68 in Oakland Township.
Because he had two prior shoplifting incidents, the relatively minor alleged theft — worth about $20 — earned Koebler a felony charge of retail theft.
He was caught and released from the Butler County Prison after posting $1,500 bail Thursday.
Police said the store manager told them that, on April 8, a middle-aged man was seen placing fishing hooks and mealworms in his pockets. He allegedly left in a car without paying for the merchandise.
Troopers reviewed surveillance video and got descriptions of the suspect and the car, according to charging documents.
On Wednesday, police stopped a car, which looked like the one in the video, on New Castle Road in Butler Township. Koebler was driving the vehicle and he looked like the thief in the video.
He was subsequently arraigned Thursday and booked into the prison. He got out later that day.
Koebler's preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 23 at the office of District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora.
