A New Britain man is facing a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges after he allegedly stole a video projector from the Hilltown Walmart, then stole his friend’s vehicle to flee the scene.
Stephen Richards, 51, has been charged with felony counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, along with misdemeanor counts of DUI – second offense, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, driving on a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property, and theft by unlawful taking, in connection with the investigation.
Police said Richards had driven with his friend in their vehicle to the Hilltown Walmart during the afternoon of May 14. The two men entered the store, at which point Richards allegedly stole a $200 video projector, exited the store, then entered his friend’s vehicle and drove away, according to charging documents.
At 5:47 p.m., police were dispatched to the 1400 block of Route 113 for a report of a single vehicle crash. Upon arrival, police located the vehicle in a ditch on the right side of the roadway and observed Richards pulling the projector from the vehicle, the report states. With Richards detained, police said they learned that he had an active arrest warrant out of Philadelphia, and they allegedly found drugs and paraphernalia on his person.
Richards refused a blood chemical test for driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, however he allegedly told police he had used suboxone and cocaine earlier in the day.
Court records show Richards was arraigned the following morning by District Judge Regina Armitage, who set bail at 10% of $35,000 cash bail. He was then taken to the Bucks County Correctional Facility after failing to post, and his next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on May 24 in front of Judge Armitage.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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