Coweta County, Georgia – August 22, 2023
A Georgia man, Robin Swanger, is facing serious charges after being accused of stealing a porch from a neighbor’s front yard, according to the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.
Swanger’s arrest followed an incident on Clemit Harris Road in Arnco, Georgia, where he was taken into custody.
The owner of the property from which Swanger allegedly took the porch stated that nothing was available to be taken, even though the lot appeared abandoned. This incident was reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Investigators revealed that Swanger disregarded “no trespassing” signs on the property while removing a well-constructed wooden porch. The porch had been left on the property after the house was removed.
Describing the porch, CCSO investigator Chris Stapler explained, “It’s a full-size 8×10 porch. It would be what goes onto a house for entrance and exit.”
Swanger’s actions earned him the moniker of a “literal porch pirate” due to the nature of the theft, a term commonly used for individuals accused of stealing packages from home doorsteps.
Stapler emphasized that taking someone’s property without consent is a serious matter, especially considering the porch’s value of $3,000. “You can’t just go and take stuff off someone’s property,” Stapler added.
During the course of the investigation, the porch reappeared on the property, albeit upside down.
The search for Swanger spanned several days before deputies located him responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Swanger now faces a range of charges, including two counts of domestic violence for battery and a felony theft charge related to the porch theft. The incident underscores the importance of respecting others’ property and adhering to the law.
