Officers say man was trying to hide coins stolen from vending machines
A sweater sagging under the weight of something heavy caught the attention of Coatesville Police Officers Joe Thompson and Joe Norcini during a traffic stop for missing headlights at Fifth Avenue and Diamond Alley on Monday, Dec. 30, at 7:45 p.m., police said. Robert Swarts, 32, told the officers that the hundreds of loose coins, primarily quarters, under the sweater were from his coin collection and that he was looking for a place to exchange them. The explanation sounded suspicious since Swarts and his companion, Nelson Greene, 50, both lived in York County, police said.
Further investigation revealed that the pair was driving around stealing coins from vending machines, police said. In addition, Greene was in possession of marijuana and Swarts had an Oxycotin pill, police said, adding that both face theft and drug possession charges.
On Tuesday, Dec. 31, police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of West Lincoln Highway at 12:33 a.m., Officer Chris McCarthy reported. Upon investigation, Manuel Estrada, 36, of Coatesville, was cited for harassment, police said.
On Monday, Dec. 30, constables advised Officer Carmen Mollichella that Laquan Davis, 23, of Coatesville, who had a bench warrant, was in the 300 block of Lumber Street. Mollichella was able to make contact with Davis and take him into custody, police said.
