Alleged repeat stalker apprehended outside church

WEST NORRITON » On March 9, at 9:27 a.m. police were dispatched to First Baptist Church, 445 Burnside Ave, for a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, police were informed that a man who had been stalking a clergy member had just left the scene in a red jeep. Police spotted the vehicle several blocks away and pulled it over. The driver, Andrew J. Kelly, 54, told officers he was at the church to pay his respects at the funeral of a friend. Due to his prior police contact and arrest related to stalking and harassment, Kelly was again arrested and charged with repeated stalking, and harassment. He was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post $25,000 bail.

Copper thief flees police

WEST NORRITON » At 9:26 a.m. March 9, police on patrol noticed an SUV disobeying the rules of the road in the area of Rittenhouse Boulevard and Williams Way. The vehicle reportedly ignored several stop signs and was traveling at a high rate of speed. Police followed the vehicle as it traveled east toward Plymouth Township, but stopped the pursuit as a safety precaution when the SUV reached excessive speeds. Thinking he was no longer being sought, the driver of the SUV slowed down and was subsequently pulled over by West Norriton and Plymouth police. He reportedly admitted to stealing copper downspouts from a home in West Norriton and speeding away to elude apprehension. The driver was transported to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility and faces charges of theft, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Police recovered copper downspouts worth approximately $1,000.

Military dating scam reported

WEST NORRITON » On March 9, at 2:30 p.m. a woman came into the police station to report a scam. The woman told police she met a man on a dating website who claimed to be a US Army soldier serving overseas. She sent the man money on several occasions and was subsequently contacted by others who claimed to be Army personnel and said they would give her money to wire to various locations. Sensing a scam, the victim stopped communications, but then started receiving threatening texts which included a photo of her home. Police advised the woman to cancel all of her credit cards, notify the dating site about the fraudulent profile, and to call 911 immediately if someone shows up at her house.

Phone thieves sought

WEST NORRITON » At 7:10 p.m., March 9, police responded to the Verizon Go Wireless store, 418 Egypt Road for a report of theft. A store clerk told police two men came into the store and inquired about cell phones. When they began handling phones on display the clerk informed them that those phones did not detach from their display mounts. One of the men reportedly used profane language and ripped an iPhone 10 from its display, while the other man did the same with a Samsung Galaxy S9+. The suspects then fled on foot. The total value of the phones is $1,940. The store provided security stills of the incident to police.

Man claims he stole electronics for son

WEST NORRITON » On March 11 at 2:05 p.m. police responded to Walmart, 650 S. Trooper Road for a reported theft. A store manager told police a male suspect stole two LED televisions and a soundbar worth $808 combined. The suspect ignored an employee’s request to return the items and a witness gave police the suspect’s license plate number as he fled in a gold Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle was later pulled over by State Troopers on Route 76 East and the merchandise was recovered. As officers were taking the suspect into custody he told them that he recently lost his job and his son was asking for a new television.

Police departments cooperate to catch theft suspect

WEST NORRITON » On March 8 at 4:27 p.m. police received information that a suspect wanted for a Jan. 20 theft was apprehended by West Vincent Township police. The theft occurred near the intersection of South Schuylkill Avenue and Port Indian Road. A contractor told police he was checking on a property when someone entered his vehicle and stole his briefcase which contained his wallet. In the weeks following the theft, the victim’s credit cards were used at several locations. Police obtained video footage of some of the fraudulent transactions and circulated flyers with images of the suspect and his female companion. The suspect was identified after Upper Merion police identified the suspect’s companion, who also had an outstanding warrant.

Child left in vehicle

WEST NORRITON » On March 5 at 10:45 a.m. police received a Childline referral regarding an 8-yearold who was left on a school van at the YMCA, 2460 Blvd. of the Generals. The child was discovered, unharmed, sleeping in the vehicle an hour after it was parked. The driver had no previous disciplinary issues but admitted to not checking the vehicle thoroughly and was terminated. The Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth Services is conducting an investigation.

Check fraud thwarted

LOWER PROVIDENCE » On March 2, at 11:16 a.m. police received a complaint from a business in the 3100 block of Ridge Pike regarding fraud committed by an exemployee. The suspect allegedly created a fake payroll check for approximately $750 and attempted to cash it. The business did not suffer a monetary loss because the bank caught the fraudulent transaction. The suspect was taken into custody by another police department as part of a separate investigation.

Fake tags lead to arrest

LOWER PROVIDENCE » On March 1, 1 p.m. police conducted a traffic stop on a red Ford Expedition with counterfeit inspection stickers in the 1000 block of South Park Avenue. The stickers were missing holographic security features, one was the wrong color, and the state emissions sticker serial number was too long. The driver was discovered to have an active warrant out of Delaware and was transported to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility to be arraigned on fugitive from justice charges before extradition. His boss came and picked up the vehicle.

Harassment suspect surrenders

LOWER PROVIDENCE » At 10:17 p.m. March 3 police were called to the 2600 block of Amy Drive for the report of harassment and terroristic threats. The caller told police a man who threatened to kill him over the phone was now harassing him at his home. Upon arrival, police spoke with the caller and the suspect, who came walking towards them. Officers ordered the suspect on the ground, but he reportedly refused to do so until he was repeatedly informed that a stun gun would be deployed on him. The suspect eventually complied and was taken into custody. He was charged with terroristic threats, trespassing, harassment, public intoxication and disorderly conduct.