DONEGAL TWP — A Lyndora man was arrested Tuesday on charges he stole more than $10,000 worth of tools and other property from the owner of a township roofing business where he used to work.

Luke Andrew Blackham, 22, admitted to the crime but defended his actions, claiming the owner was wealthy enough that he could afford to lose the property, state police said.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton arraigned Blackham, who turned himself in to authorities, on five felony charges including burglary, theft and receiving stolen property. He is free on his own recognizance.

Police began investigating the case Sept. 20 when Thomas Garing reported someone had broken into his Garing Road home in Donegal Township, where he also maintains a roofing business.

Garing told investigators he was missing a large amount of tools, money, a dirt bike and other items totaling $10,367, police said.

He also provided police with a lead: he had fired Blackham, a former employee, about a week or so earlier, documents said. He knew the firing did not sit well with the suspect.

Garing additionally advised police that he believed Blackham had dreams of starting his own roofing business.

Investigators questioned Blackham, who initially denied taking the property. Later, however, he allegedly confessed.

“He related that he and a co-conspirator entered Garing’s residence and took the items from (the home) because (Garing) is rich and he didn’t think Garing would miss them,” a police affidavit said.

The defendant’s alleged accomplice was not identified in court papers. Police, however, planned to interview the unidentified man today, authorities said.

Blackham told police that he sold some of the stolen items for money but that he still had other property at his home.

Police searched the home and recovered a gas-powered air compressor, welder and roof jacks, all owned by Garing.

A preliminary hearing for Blackham is set for 1:45 p.m. Tuesday at Stoughton’s office in Chicora.