Lower Burrell charges New Jersey man in leased-vehicle theft

Lower Burrell Police charged 46-year-old Jeffrey Nichols of New Jersey after the owner of a Lower Burrell leasing business reported Nichols stopped making payments on three vehicles leased in 2021, with payments ceasing in July 2025. The owner recovered two of the five leased vehicles through a recovery service; two tri-axle dump trucks and a Chevrolet pickup remained in Nichols' possession, and Reading police recovered the pickup from a parking garage in mid‑July. Nichols faces two counts of theft of leased property and receiving stolen property; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.