A Lansdale man was arrested Wednesday morning after he was observed allegedly smashing out the windows of eight vehicles that were parked in the Elm Terrace parking lot at the intersection of North Broad and West Seventh streets.
Jerome Speight, 27, has been charged with eight felony counts of criminal mischief – damage to property, along with two misdemeanor counts of possessing an instrument of crime, in connection with the Sept. 6 incident. He’s currently free on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Police said they were dispatched to the 600 block of North Broad Street at 11:20 a.m. for a report of a subject carrying a knife and causing damage to vehicles in the parking lot. The subject — later identified as Speight — then fled the scene on foot towards a home along the 600 block of Walnut Street, according to charging documents.
Upon arrival, police observed Speight on the porch of the home, however he immediately went inside and refused to come outside to speak with police, officials said.
As police surveyed the scene, they said they observed a butcher knife and a large rock lying on the ground in close proximity to the damaged vehicles. In total, eight vehicles were damaged including two broken windshields, five broken rear windows, and one rear passenger-side vehicle, according to the complaint.
The report notes Elm Terrace employees observed Speight slashing tires, however the criminal complaint does not include any tire damage amongst the total damage.
Police took Speight into custody at his home after a relative allowed them inside, and investigators said he matched the description provided by witnesses as well as the subject observed on surveillance footage causing damage to the vehicles.
Speight was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Welsh later that evening, and his preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using police reports, court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Former Employee of Chalfont Pest Control Business Accused of Stealing $132,000 from Owner
Man Arrested After Pistol Whipping Teen Outside of Oakwood Gardens in Lansdale, Police Say
Three Men from Hatfield, Lansdale Accused of Manufacturing and Trafficking Ghost Guns and Silencers
Souderton Man Arrested After Committing Two More Burglaries While Out on Bail, Police Say
