Wilson Man Charged in $1.2 Million Theft Case Surrenders

A Wilson man accused of stealing $1.2 million in trailers and selling them for scrap has turned himself in.

That's according to the Express-Times, which reported Sunday that Jason Smith, 37, had turned himself into state police.

Court records show that Smith is charged with felony theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Also accused in the case is New Jersey resident Christopher Warnicke, who faces the same charges as Smith as well as two counts of "corrupt organizations."

According to police, the two men were involved in the theft of 31 trailers, valued at $1.2 million, between April and July.

Warnicke is the president of Fatzin Recycling, outside of Bangor. Smith worked for a company W. W. Transport. Police say Smith would take trucks to Warnicke's company for cash. Warnicke would then take them to another recycling business.

Police say the investigation began in June when a truck was reported stolen at Conagra. The truck was owned by W.W. Transport, which is based in Iowa.

Police spoke to W.W.'s owner Jeff Walters, who said he'd gotten a anonymous tip that one of his workers named "Jay" was stealing trailers and selling them for scrap. Smith was the only "Jay" on the company payroll, police said.

Walters did an inventory, and found at least 21 missing trailers. 

Ultimately, Smith stole 31 trailers, police said -- 29 from W.W. and two from InterCoastal Trucking in Upper Mount Bethel.

Warnicke was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Daniel Corpora in Easton and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail, but has since been released after posting bail.