Serial Catalytic Converter Thief Captured, Manna on Main Street Among Victims

North Penn Now Staff•

Towamencin Township Police said that a booking image was not currently available.

Earlier this spring, numerous municipalities in the North Penn area, along with others from Bucks and Montgomery counties, launched investigations into a string of catalytic converter thefts from vehicles.

Now, a Lansdale man is facing more than 200 charges in connection with the investigations.

According to the criminal complaint, Towamencin Township Police were contacted by two victims on the morning of May 16, who stated that their catalytic converters had been cut from their vehicles while in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn, located at 1750 Sumneytown Pike. Video surveillance showed a white male using power tools underneath the vehicles to remove the catalytic converters, before driving off in a small, coupe-style vehicle.

Then on May 28, police were dispatched to the 1500 block of Gehman Road for a report of stolen catalytic converters. Once on scene, the victim told police that two catalytic converters had been cut from his company’s box truck. A surveillance system from a nearby business recorded the incident, which depicted a white male going beneath the truck and cutting out the converters.

The suspect was reportedly driving a red, two-door Honda Accord coupe, with a dark-colored sunroof wind deflector, dual exhaust and a rear spoiler, according to the report. Police recognized the vehicle as being parked in the Holiday Inn parking lot during the previous converter thefts, and through further investigation, determined that the vehicle belonged to 41-year-old James Treadway, who was staying at the Holiday Inn at the time.

During the early-morning hours of May 30, police executed search warrants on both Treadway’s vehicle and his room at the Holiday Inn. Treadway was allegedly found to be in possession of $1,800 cash, and inside of his room, police reportedly found dark clothing covered in dirt and grease, a ski mask, multiple pairs of gloves, flashlights, notebooks containing part numbers for catalytic converters and more, the report states. The search of his vehicle allegedly uncovered myriad power saws and tools, which police believe Treadway used to cut the converters, the report states.

A third search was conducted at Treadway’s storage unit in Lansdale, which allegedly uncovered multiple converter heat shields, tools, saw blades, grinders and chrome/metal polish, according to the report.

In addition to the three incidents in Towamencin Township, police allege that Treadway is responsible for the following catalytic converter thefts:

Lansdale Borough:

• May 1, converter stolen from a Manna on Main Street delivery van, located along the 600 block of East Main Street

• May 14, converter stolen from the 600 block of North Cannon Avenue

Hatfield Township:

• May 25 and May 28, three converters stolen from the 2800 block of Bergey Road

• June 19, converter stolen from 300 block of Bethlehem Pike

• June 20, converter stolen from 1200 block of Bethlehem Pike

Franconia Township:

• May 27 through May 20, three converters stolen from the 500 block of Hagey Road

• July 7 through July 12, four converters stolen from the 300 block of Township Line Road

• July 8, converter stolen from the unit block of County Line Road

• July 8, converter stolen from the unit block of Hatfield Pike

Hilltown Township:

• May 25, converter stolen from the 4500 block of Bethlehem Pike

Additional thefts also occurred in Lower Moreland, Lower Providence, Richland Township and Telford, according to the complaint. All thefts followed the same M.O., and surveillance from multiple incidents shows Treadway’s red Honda, according to the complaint.

Police said total financial losses incurred by all the victims exceeds $20,000.

As a result of the investigations, Treadway has been charged with 30 felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, 30 felony counts of receiving stolen property, 30 felony counts of theft from a motor vehicle, 30 felony counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds and 30 felony counts of criminal mischief, as well as 30 misdemeanor counts of possession of an instrument of crime and 30 misdemeanor counts of loitering and prowling at night time.

Treadway was arraigned on Sept. 20 by Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine, who set bail at $5,000 cash. He was then remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post. His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on Oct. 18 in front of Judge Levine.

(Editor’s note: All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause, and reflects the point of view of the police. Should the defendant choose to issue a public statement, or is later found not guilty or has the charges dropped, we will update this article accordingly.)