Matthew Justin Deutsch arrested over alleged $10,000 equipment theft
A man arrested after allegedly failing to return rented equipment valued at over $10,000 is facing three third‑degree felony charges in Luzerne County.
On Sept. 8, 2026, a victim reported that rented equipment valued at more than $10,000 had not been returned after the rental agreement ended; the victim said Matthew Justin Deutsch had paid rental fees through July 2026 but could not be reached about payment or return. Deutsch was stopped by the Sugarloaf Police Department and arrested Sept. 14 on a warrant dated Sept. 11; he was arraigned by District Magistrate Rick Cronauer in Wilkes‑Barre, held on $7,500 unsecured bail, and faces three third‑degree felony counts—theft by unlawful taking, theft of services, and receiving stolen property. A preliminary hearing is set for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Luzerne County Central Court in Wilkes‑Barre.