A penny-wise heist ended more than 1,600 pounds-foolish.

Taylor police charged a Scott Twp. man with burglary this week for stealing a steel drum filled with $3,000 worth of pennies that belonged to his employer, according to a criminal complaint.

Robert E. Napolitan, 34, 99 Novitski Road, wheeled the steel drum, which weighed more than 1,600 pounds, on a hand truck across a dusty floor at Pyne Freight Lines Inc. on Union Street on Monday, Sgt. William Roche and Patrolman Eugene Mentz said in an affidavit. Tracks through the dust and a trail of pennies marked his path.

Mr. Napolitan had a key to the building's back door and informed a company dispatcher he would be there late at night during the Labor Day holiday weekend to remove parts from a disabled Dodge Durango. Security camera footage captured his white Jeep Cherokee pulling in at 2:30 a.m. Monday but did not show he worked on the Dodge.

Police searched his Jeep and found 89 pennies underneath the seats and floor mats. Mr. Napolitan admitted he stole the pennies, police said. In addition to burglary, he also is charged with criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property — all felonies.

Mr. Napolitan is in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

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