Man accused of racket thieving may get second serve through diversionary court program

A Lower Salford Township man – whose alleged theft has left him facing a long match with the wrong kind of courts – may be considered for a special Montgomery County Court probationary program that allows eligible defendants to have criminal records expunged upon completion.

Hue Han Chau, 55, of the 100 block of Fairway Drive, is scheduled to appear March 3 before the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Court, commonly known as ARD, according to court documents. The pretrial diversion program is available to first-time, nonviolent offenders, but acceptance is not an admission of guilt under state law.

If Chau is accepted, and completes all program requirements, then the underlying criminal charges are dismissed, and he is eligible to have the records expunged.

Chau was charged with felony retail theft (not racket-eering) after allegedly cutting through a security cable and stealing more than $2,000 worth of tennis rackets from Frog Hollow Racquet Club at 2115 Weber Road in Worcester Township last August.

Investigators said the theft occurred the morning of Aug. 16, 2025. Surveillance footage showed a man, alleged to be Chau, placing a duffel bag near a public seating area, cutting a metal safety wire, and placing seven rackets valued at $2,013.40 into the bag.

Police said Chau then left without making any purchases.

The racquet club’s co-owner reported the missing rackets and severed cable to police on Aug. 17. On Aug. 19, the club’s surveillance contractor reviewed video footage and identified Chau, who was known to staff as a frequent visitor and as a parent who had enrolled his children in tennis lessons, police said.

Chau is free on $3,000 unsecured bail. He is represented by King of Prussia attorney David Craig McKenzie III, according to court records.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.