Police Blotter

Limerick

The logged 144 incidents between Feb. 27 and March 4. Of them, seven were deemed false alarms.

Woman Commits Retail Theft from Costco

On Feb. 27 at 8:51 p.m., responding Officer John Kehoe was dispatched to for a retail theft. Upon arrival, the store manager reported to Kehoe that a white female in her mid-30s had stolen a Nikon S8100 digital camera ($149.97), Adobe Photoshop 10 ($79.99), Norton Anti-Virus ($49.99), and three Brooks Flashcards for children ($20.57), totaling $325.49.

Loss prevention tried to escort the woman back to the store, but an argument ensued in the parking lot as she attempted to get in her car and leave. She was stopped by Sergeant Paul Marchese in the lot. She admitted to police that she placed the items in her purse. The woman was identified as Heather Anne Lightkep, 23 of Gilbertsville.

Lightkep was arraighed on Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. an released on $1,000 bail. Her preliminary hearing was on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Unknown Person(s) Steal from Limerick Florist

On March 2 at 5:40 p.m., responding Officer Christopher Nestler was dispatched to to speak with the 28-year-old shop owner, who said four magnetic door signs were stolen off of two company vans. The total value of the signs was $200. The owner suspected a former employee did it, but no arrests were made.

Gasoline Stolen from Vehicle

On March 2 at 10:39 a.m., responding Officer Chris Nestler was dispatched to 165 W. Ridge Pike, where the granddaughter of a 78-year-old woman reported gas was stolen from her grandmother's vehicle.

The girls reported the gas cap was hanging by the tether and that about a quarter of a tank was stolen, the total value being $14.76. No arrests were made.

The submitted the following report of note.

Royersford Man Arrested Again for Vehicle Thefts

On March 6, Royersford Police arrested Richard Musselman, 18 of Royersford, for theft from motor vehicles. According to police, this is the second arrest by the department of Musselman for the same charges in three weeks.

Musselman, according to the report, was observed trespassing in a private parking lot in the area of 600 Spruce St., two blocks from his previous arrest. The concerned citizen who called the case in reported seeing him going from car to car, lookign inside.

Police arrived and located Musselman walking away from cars in the parking lot. Royersford Officer Joe Oberholtzer immediately recognized Musselman from the previous arrest and detained him, according to the report.

Musselman was searched and found with large amounts of change, cell phones and other items. At least one victim of the theft has already come forward.

Magisterial District Judge Walter Gadzicki arraigned Musselman and committed him to Montgomery County Correctional Facility after he could not post $2,500 straight cash bail. He has been charged with misdemeanor theft from motor vehicles, receiving stolen property, trespass, loitering and prowling.

Royersford Police are urging residents to double check their vehicle door locks before turning in for the night. "These types of thefts of opportunity are rising with the better weather that is quickly approaching."

Spring City Police Chief Art Brown confirmed that he is looking to hire three part-time officers to fill holes that were left open by officers that have moved on. He said he is also looking to do repairs on the basement at with a $5,000 grant that was received last year. Some of that money was already used to change the cell block area.

Brown submitted the following reports of note.

Reading Man Arrested on Warrant

On March 2, police arrested Kevin Batts on a warrant from the city of Reading  at the . Batts was transported to Pottstown and turned over to Reading police.

Drunken Assault Charges Pending

On March 5, a simple assault occurred at 600 Heckel Ave. The incident involved four subjects who all were intoxicated. The department is still gathering information pending charges if any. Brown said the fight may have been mutual.

No Arrests on Main Street Theft

On March 7 at 8:30 a.m., police received a report of theft of baseboard radiators out of a house at 249 S. Main St., which is undergoing repairs. According to the report, someone removed the radiators along with the copper lines. Brown said the theif(s) probably scrap them for the money and that the department still has some leads to run down. The value of the stolen property is approximately $500.