High Tech Device Leads to Accused Car Thief

Westtown East Goshen Regional Police say a high-tech license plate reader led officers to an accused car thief at Dilworthtown Crossing in Thornbury Township May 17 around 7:45 p.m.

Police say the device, which is mounted on patrol cars and can read and process license plates numbers through a database, picked up a license plate linked to a stolen car while officers were on patrol in the shopping center.

According to police, "the LPR activated for a 1996 Honda Accord that was stolen out of Bridgeton, New Jersey in April 2013.  Police confirmed with Bridgeton Police that the vehicle was still wanted as stolen and learned that the suspect that took the vehicle was (a 23-year-old Bridgeton, New Jersey man)."

Police say there was clearly visible mail sitting inside the car "addressed to (the man) as well as marijuana and prescription medication to (him) that was dated after the actual theft."

According to police, officers were then able to get a photo of (the man) from his driver's license and the search was on for the suspect in the shopping center.

Police say he "was located standing outside a pizza store and (he) was taken into custody without incident."

The defendant was arraigned and sent to Chester County Prison on Friday night after failing to post a $10,000 bail.