Police charge former dishwasher

MONTGOMERY – A borough man was employed as a Greshy’s Diner dishwasher at the time of his alleged after-hours break-in and theft at the Clinton Township restaurant, state police said.

Agustin Perez Jr., 19, of 56 Penn St. is accused of stealing about $350 when he reportedly entered the Route 54 diner between 1 and 3 a.m. June 1.

Perez and a known juvenile male entered the structure by removing a window-mounted air conditioner, according to police.

Police charged Perez with burglary, criminal trespass, receiving stolen property and conspiracy at a Tuesday arraignment before District Judge C. Roger McRae. Perez was released on $5,000 bail.

Fire contained to living room

HUGHESVILLE – The cause of a Wednesday fire contained to the living room of Clifford Barto’s 1405 Beaver Lake Road, Penn Township, home remains under investigation, said Hughesville Fire Chief Steve Stiger.

A passerby reportedly called emergency dispatchers around 10:30 a.m. when smoke was seen pouring from the home near Barto Hollow Road.

Barto, whom Stiger said lives alone there, was not home at the time of the fire that caused an undetermined amount of damage.

Besides fire damage to the living room and its contents, Stiger said the rest of the small ranch-style home sustained smoke and heat damage.

The American Red Cross is assisting Barto in case he needs a place to stay or other accommodations, according to Stiger.

Fire departments assisting the Hughesville station, including those from Muncy Township, Picture Rocks and Lairdsville, completed their work around 1 p.m.