Nazareth Man Allegedly Steals Jeep, Hides Keys in Kohl's

In a whirlwind of activity Monday, a Nazareth man used crack cocaine and took cold medications, then stole a Jeep from a borough pizza shop, police said.

He then hid the keys in a pair of jeans in the Kohl's Department Store in Lower Nazareth Township and while in police custody, had to be taken to a hospital for a drug reaction.

Jared Martnick, 27, of the 300 block of S. Main Street, has yet to be arraigned on charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property -- both felonies -- and criminal mischief, as he remains in Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg.

According to the affidavit of probable cause:

Before Martnick’s hospital stay, the day’s events started around 12:50 p.m. when Officer Alan Koch was approached by Donny Snyder II at Pizza Joe's Italian Restaurant, 550 S. Main St.

Snyder told Koch that his 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee had just been stolen from the restaurant’s parking lot.

At around 2:19 p.m., Officer T.J. Mahalick from Colonial Regional Police contacted Koch to say he was at the Kohl’s in Lower Nazareth with a man matching the description of the driver of the stolen Jeep.

Martnick, who was identified by his Lehigh County Prison inmate identification card, was holding several CDs, a Yankees hat, and a pamphlet bag with a patch that said “Jeep” on it -- all items Snyder said were stolen with his vehicle.

Martnick agreed to head back to Nazareth Borough Police Department headquarters to discuss the stolen Jeep.

Martnick initially denied the theft but “became quite [fidgety] and hyper.” Martnick then told Koch, “I can give you names of drug dealers if you can help me out.”

Koch allowed Martnick’s girlfriend to speak to him in private for about five minutes. After the conversation, Martnick confessed to taking the vehicle.

Koch then attempted to get a written statement from Martnick, when Martnick started “to really become anxious and hyper and stated he suffers from anxiety.” Koch had Nazareth Ambulance dispatched to check on Martnick’s condition.

While waiting for the ambulance, Koch asked where the keys to the Jeep were -- Martnick said he did not steal the Jeep. After some pressing, Martnick said the keys were in the pocket of a pair of jeans inside Kohl’s.

Due to Martnick’s elevated heart rate, he was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg. He admitted to doing crack cocaine and ingesting numerous cold medications earlier in the day.

When he is medically cleared, according to court documents, Martnick will be sent to Lehigh County Prison for violating his probation.

Back in August, Martnick was arrested in Allentown and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft by unlawful taking and tampering with evidence.

Martnick has a long rap sheet in both Northampton and Lehigh counties. He has been charged with everything from simple assault to retail theft, robbery to forgery, according to court documents.

Koch was able to retrieve the Jeep's keys from Kohl’s -- the jeans were found hanging on a rack. All of Snyder’s possessions were given back, however, he says he is still missing a PNC Bank checkbook and his rear view mirror.