Upper Gwynedd police Chief David Duffy, center left, shakes hands with Detective Jon Gill as he and Officer Dana Hallam were recognized during the tow
Several of the Upper Gwynedd Police Department’s finest have been recognized for their efforts to keep residents of the township, and beyond, safe.
Detectives Jonathan Kelcy and Jon Gill, officer Dana Hallam and Sgt. William Moriarty were honored Monday night, in a series of commendations presented by police Chief David Duffy.
"Upper Gwynedd Police received several complaints of thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles in 2022 and 2023. These thefts were part of a region-wide pattern of crimes, which are often difficult to solve,” Duffy said.
Working with his counterparts across the region, Kelcy was able to identify a suspect involved in several such thefts in the township, using what the chief termed numerous search warrants, and reviewing hours of surveillance videos, and obtaining and checking cellphone records of suspects. One suspect was identified as committing 11 thefts in Upper Gwynedd and others in Plymouth Township and Bucks County, while another committed two in Upper Gwynedd and others in Upper Merion and New Jersey, and a third suspect was involved in eight thefts from a township business, totaling over $45,000.
"Because of Detective Kelcy’s efforts and the arrests made, the victims are more likely to receive compensation for their losses. Therefore, Detective Jonathan Kelcy is formally recognized and commended for his dedication, persistence, and concern for the victims, which led to several cases being solved and cleared by arrest,” Duffy said, as he presented Kelcy for a round of applause and handshakes from the commissioners.
In a separate case, Gill was recognized for his response to a walk-in complaint fielded in March 2023 reporting a sexual assault of a six -year-old male, the chief told the board.
"The mother stated she was visiting a close friend of hers in Upper Gwynedd Township when the assault occurred. After the interview, Detective Gill brought the mother and her son to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia for an examination, where evidence was gathered and preserved,” Duffy said.
Gill interviewed the victim later that month, who repeated the allegation, and the detective’s work lead to a search warrant uncovering DNA evidence, and identified three other juveniles "that were victimized by the same suspect,” outside Upper Gwynedd, the chief said. Working with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office, those cases were consolidated, and charges were brought against a suspect who is being handled through the juvenile court system.
Gill and Hallam were then honored together for their work on a similar case: in September 2022, Hallam responded to a reported sexual assault of a five-year-old female in the township.
"The father of the victim informed Officer Hallam that his daughter told him that the suspect, an older juvenile male, made her perform a sexual act,” Duffy said.
Gill was notified as the on-call detective, and advised Hallam to bring the child to CHOP for examination; Hallam conducted the initial investigation and collected evidence, then the next week Gill interviewed the victim, who repeated the allegation, and conducted search warrants while notifying the victim’s school that the incident had happened, and made sure they had a safety plan in place.
"He also discussed and provided information about therapy for the victim. Charges were brought against the suspect, and a successful outcome was attained,” Duffy said, adding that Gill and Hallam "were recognized for their actions in professionally handling this sensitive investigation and arrest, as well as treating the victims and families with care and compassion.”
Last but not least, Moriarty was presented with the annual "Top Gun” award, given to the officer who scores highest on annual weapons training administered by the department’s firearms instructors, including Gill.
"Our qualifications are not just target practice: they are challenging. We shoot on the move, we shoot together, low light shooting, decision-based shooting, and this year Sergeant Moriarty got the top score, averaged over all of the qualifications. So he once again proved he’s not just good-looking and charming, he has lots of other skills,” Duffy said, drawing chuckles, then applause, from the board.
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