NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) — A New Bethlehem man is facing charges after he allegedly opened a utility service account in another person’s name.
According to court documents, the New Bethlehem Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 37-year-old Brent Campbell, of New Bethlehem, on Thursday, April 18.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Patrol Officer Hawk, of the New Bethlehem Police Department, Brent Campbell allegedly obtained electric service by deception.
Officer Hawk received a phone call around 3:00 p.m. on March 6 from a known woman who stated that someone had obtained her son’s information and had opened an account with West Penn Power. The woman reported that the bill was being sent to an apartment located on Broad Street and that her son has never lived in New Bethlehem.
The victim learned about the bill when he moved into a new residence, and when he went to get the electricity turned on, he was denied services due to an outstanding bill in the amount of $1,018.05. Officer Hawk requested the victim to bring the bill to the station for review.
The complaint states that Officer Hawk went to the Broad Street apartment and interviewed Brent Campbell. Campbell explained to Officer Hawk that since he has lived in the apartment, he has not paid an electric bill, but has received bills from West Penn Power in the (victim’s) name. Campbell gave Officer Hawk some of the bills in (the victim’s) name dating back to May 16, 2018.
Campbell went on to say that (the victim) used to live in the apartment and that was why the electric was in the (victim’s) name. Campbell stated that he thought the (victim) had died, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, Campbell admitted, in a written statement, that he contacted the electric company, and a representative of the company had advised him that the bill was in (the victim’s) name. To change it over, he would have to pay $385.00. He admitted to getting mad that he would have to pay that amount.
Officer Hawk then made contact with West Power. A representative of the company stated that the account had been opened in (the victim’s) name on August 23, 2017, and had been closed out on December 16, 2018. At this time, the company had not received any payments on this account.
Officer Hawk also contacted the landlord for the apartment, and it was noted that Campbell had lived in the apartment for over 12 years. During this time is when (the victim’s) name had been put on the electric bill. The landlord had also relayed to Officer Hawk that (the victim) had never lived in his rentals, according to the complaint.
Based on his investigation, Officer Hawk filed charges against Campbell in Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller’s office on April 18.
A preliminary hearing on the following charge is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 2 in front of Judge Miller:
– Theft Of Services-Acquisition Of Service, Misdemeanor 1
