Crime & Public Safety
Vehicle was spotted with a "dead tag" on Cowpath Road early Christmas Eve morning
A Telford woman was taken into custody early Christmas Eve after police said she was found driving a vehicle reported stolen, leading to felony and summary charges in Montgomery County.
Kathryn Barbara Hansen, 41, of Stony Brook Circle, was charged with felony counts of receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking – movable property, as well as summary violations related to vehicle registration and insurance, according to a criminal complaint filed by Franconia Township Police.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were on patrol around 12:31 a.m. when an officer observed a white 2018 Chevrolet Cruze traveling southbound on Cowpath Road near Turnberry Way. A registration check showed the vehicle had a “dead tag,” and an NCIC query returned a hit indicating the vehicle had been reported stolen, police said.
Police confirmed with Telford Borough Police that the vehicle had been reported stolen by its registered owner. The NCIC return also listed unauthorized use of the vehicle by Hansen, police said.
Police conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Hansen, who was able to provide a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license but was unable to produce registration or insurance information for the vehicle. Police said Hansen acknowledged she was aware the vehicle had been reported stolen.
Hansen was taken into custody and the Cruze was impounded by Cope’s Garage. She was arraigned and released on $5,000 unsecured bail, ahead of a Feb. 11 preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Adam T. Katzman.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
