Intoxicated Passengers Vandalize Lyft Vehicle: Plumstead Crime Report

PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP, PA — The Plumstead Township Police Department reported the following incidents and arrests between May 5 and 10:

May 5

• At 2:15 p.m., officers responded to a retail theft report at the Giant on Swamp Rd. The complainant reported that an unknown individual left the store with more than $1,800 worth of merchandise. The case is under investigation.

May 7

• At 2:25 p.m., a Plumstead resident stopped by the police station to file a fraud complaint. The complainant reported that their insurance company notified them of a significant increase in coverage, which led to the discovery that their social security number had been compromised. The complainant was provided with an identity theft packet and guidance on next steps. The case is under investigation.
• At 3:22 p.m., officers received a report from a resident regarding suspicious vehicles at the Cross Keys Shopping Center. The complainant reported seeing two large, occupied SUVs with heavily tinted windows parked near their vehicle, which made them uncomfortable. The officer advised the complainant to contact 911 immediately so that officers could investigate.

May 9

• At 6:33 p.m., officers responded to a fraud report at the Advance Auto Parts store. The complainant reported that an unknown man attempted to purchase items with a counterfeit $100 bill. When confronted, the man grabbed the money and fled. The case is under investigation.
• At 9:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of N. Easton Road for a verbal dispute. The complainant, a Lyft driver, reported that passengers disputed his direction of travel and became aggressive, vandalizing the outside of the vehicle. The passengers were intoxicated, and the case is still open pending the outcome of a damage assessment.

May 10

• At 7:10 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Easton Road when they stopped at a traffic light and observed the vehicle in front of them run a steady red light. The officer conducted a traffic stop and noticed a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot glassy eyes, and slurred speech from the driver. The officer administered a field sobriety test, which the driver failed. The 28-year-old man from Plumstead was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. Charges are pending blood alcohol results.