Two men have been arrested after, police claim, they used a U-Haul truck to dump hundreds of tires in a lot behind SEPTA’s North Philadelphia station. According to police, the arrests come after officers responded to the parking lot of SEPTA’s North Philadelphia station at 1400 West Indiana Avenue at about 11:48 p.m. on Monday, to find a U-Haul truck being used to illegally dump hundreds of tires onto the property. Police estimated between 200 and 350 tires were illegally dumped in this incident. As officers observed this incident unfolding, officials said, they intervened and arrested Charles Arttaway, 52, of Philadelphia, and Paul Gamble, 68, of Darby. Both men have been charged with criminal mischief, conspiracy and scattering rubbish offenses. An investigation into the incident alleges that Gamble rented and operated the U-Haul while, officials said, the officers observed Arttaway unloading the tires from the truck. Police are working to obtain additional surveillance footage as, investigators believe, the same U-Haul truck may have been used in a separate illegal dumping incident. Arttaway told NBC10 he was offered $40 to help unload the tires and didn’t realize he was doing anything wrong. “I was at the gas station, and a guy and girl pulled up and said you want to make some money. We need some help,” Arttaway said. According to Arttaway, he agreed to help unload the truck in exchange for the money but was arrested before he could finish. “He said we’ll pay you $40, so I started dumping tires. I get halfway through the truck and police pull up. Show me your hands, you’re under arrest,” Arttaway said. Lt. Christopher Lantz of the Neighborhood Services Unit said investigators have been dealing with multiple tire dumping incidents in recent weeks. In late August, a similar incident unfolded in Fairmount Park, where a U-Haul truck became stuck in the mud while someone was dumping hundreds of tires. Investigators do not believe the same people were responsible for both incidents but are looking into whether Monday night’s dumping is connected to other illegal activity in the city. Meanwhile, Arttaway insisted he thought he was simply helping someone complete a job. “There’s already tires there. So, I figured I was just doing an honest job,” Arttaway said. He also expressed remorse and promised not to dump tires again, regardless of how much money he might be offered. “Mercy on the court. I hope the court has mercy on me, and I won’t do it again,” Arttaway said. Illegal tire dumping can carry fines of $5,000 per tire. ...read more read less