Police have charged an 18-year-old from Hatfield with a dozen felony and misdemeanor counts following an alleged attempted vehicle break-in along the 1500 block of Garden Road late last month.
Hatfield Police were dispatched to the scene 10:20 p.m. on Jan. 26 for a report of a person attempting to break into vehicles. Arriving police spoke with the caller, who said their home surveillance system alerted them to an unknown male that had observed walking on their property and standing next to two vehicles in their driveway.
Police said they located a male matching the description — later identified as Jason Smith — at the 7-Eleven on North Broad Street, and noted Smith had fresh mud on his shoes and the bottom of his pants that was consistent with walking through the caller’s yard. Smith’s clothing also matched the suspect’s clothing on the security footage, according to charging documents.
Smith told police he had walked to 7-Eleven from the Fortuna Septa Station on Cowpath Road, but would not elaborate any further, police said. He was then taken into custody, at which point police located a 40-caliber Glock 23 handgun in his inner right jacket pocket, which had previously been reported stolen, according to investigators.
Police said they also found a large amount of marijuana in Smith’s backpack, as well as $1,208 in cash and multiple driver’s licenses, credit cards, and debit cards that had previously been reported stolen.
The complaint notes that, aside from Smith being too young to carry a concealed weapon, he’s also prohibited from legally possessing a firearm due to two prior felony convictions for receiving stolen property.
As a result of the arrest, Smith has been charged with felony counts of prohibited possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm with an altered manufacturer number, firearms not to be carried without a license, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, along with misdemeanor counts of loitering and prowling at nighttime, receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.
Court records show Smith was arraigned on the charges the following morning by Magisterial District Judge Marc Alfarano, with bail being set at "$77,” which indicates a probation or parole detainer was filed. Court records also show Smith posted bail three days later and was subsequently released from custody.
His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on March 5 at 10:15 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
See also:
Woman Charged with DUI After Being Found Unconscious Behind Wheel of Running Vehicle, Police Say
Man Charged in Connection with String of Vehicle Vandalism in Sellersville and Perkasie
Lansdale Man Caught Outside Woman’s Window with Firearm, Night Vision Goggles, Police Say
Man Accused of Stealing $800 in Curtains, Statue from Montgomeryville Homesense
Hatfield Police Charge Two of Five Women Accused of Stealing $6,900 in Perfume from Kohls
