Police alleged suspect sped near Gwyn-Nor Elementary before fleeing crashed SUV on foot in Upper Gwynedd
A Philadelphia man was charged after police alleged he fled from officers in a stolen luxury SUV near Gwyn-Nor Elementary School last week, triggering lockouts at two North Penn School District schools and a large police search in Upper Gwynedd Township.
Josiah Emmanuel Cotten, 35, was charged April 29 with felony counts of receiving stolen property and fleeing or attempting to elude police, along with misdemeanor charges including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest on foot, reckless endangerment and drug possession, according to court documents. He was additionally charged with summary traffic offenses including reckless and careless driving.
According to the affidavit, Montgomery Township Police were patrolling near Welsh Road and Route 202 Parkway around 2:16 p.m. when they were alerted to a stolen black Acura RDX reported in the area.
Police said the SUV, bearing Florida registration, had been reported stolen in Philadelphia on April 23 and entered into the National Crime Information Center database by Philadelphia police.
Officers located the Acura near Welsh Road and Butler Run Boulevard and attempted a traffic stop as the vehicle approached Sandys Lane in neighboring Upper Gwynedd Township, according to the complaint.
Police alleged the SUV accelerated at a “high rate of speed,” passed another vehicle in front of the patrol unit and continued through the stop sign at Sandys Lane and Weber Road at more than 60 mph toward the walking trail near Gwyn-Nor Elementary School.
As previously reported, Gwyn-Nor Elementary School and Pennbrook Middle School were placed on lockout status during the incident while police searched for a fleeing suspect. District officials at the time emphasized students and staff remained safe inside the buildings while exterior access was temporarily restricted.
Police said Cotten eventually lost control of the SUV after driving through a residential neighborhood, striking a curb and breaking the vehicle’s front axle in half. According to investigators, Cotten fled from the driver’s side of the disabled SUV and ran into nearby backyards.
Officers alleged Cotten was later spotted walking behind a nearby property after changing clothes. Ring camera footage reportedly showed him running through a backyard and jumping a fence before removing his sweatshirt, which police later recovered during a K-9 search.
Investigators also recovered Cotten’s cellphone near the discarded clothing, according to the affidavit.
Police said Cotten was taken into custody near Weber and Sandys lanes and transported back to Montgomery Township Police headquarters for processing. Authorities also alleged a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana was found in plain view inside the Acura.
Court records indicate Cotten has an “extensive criminal history that includes violent crime and firearms violations” and was on Montgomery County probation for aggravated assault at the time of his arrest, according to the affidavit
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records and information provided by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
