Lower Moreland Police Log: Railroad Theft, DUI and Criminal Mischief

August 16 – DUI

• Area of Byberry Rd. & Pine Rd

While following a speeding pickup truck, an officer came across a silver Jaguar with its hazard lights on after it appeared it had been hit by another vehicle. The driver of the Jaguar directed the cop down Byberry Rd., indicating the pickup truck hit him.

The pickup truck was leaking fluid onto the road and smoke was coming from the engine compartment. After the cop finally stopped the driver, Michael Smith, 37, of Feasterville, he noticed a case of Molson Ice and broken bottles in the bed of the truck. He said he had a few beers before the Phillies game. He registered a .082% BAC and was placed under arrest.

The occupants of the Jaguar reported no injuries, but the car had to be towed away.

August 14 – Criminal Mischief

• 2700 block of Honeysuckle Lane

Regi Koshy, 49, of Huntingdon Valley, reported that a rock was thrown through his rear passenger side window causing it to shatter. Koshy said he was unsure of when the incident occurred, but he was on vacation from 7/23-8/13. No other similar incidents were reported in this area.  

August 12 – DUI

• Byberry Rd. & Bent Rd.

Police responded to a one-car accident near the intersection of Byberry and Pine roads near Bent Rd. Upon arrival, police found a white Ford Taurus damaged from crashing into a tree.

The driver, Dina Kearney, 36, of Newtown, told police she had just left the bar and had about 4-5 drinks. She said she was looking down at her phone at the time of the crash, according to reports. When the officer questioned her, she responded, "I'm done. I'm drunk, I crashed."

She had sustained cuts to her head from the crash and told police she had lost a tooth.  She also reported having pain in her leg, chest and face. She was advised of “implied consent” while in the ambulance and will face a DUI charge.

August 10 – Theft

• Area of Pine Rd Rail Road Crossing

Police responded to a report of a defective railroad-crossing gate. The gate continued to remain down after the train had passed causing a traffic backup. Police spoke to Edward Wawryziak of SEPTA/Jenkintown Signal Maintenance, and he reported that sometime overnight an unknown subject stole copper cable from the tracks. The cable was described as a 2/0 “double aught” copper branded wire.

The cable, which has sensors connected to the gate, was in sections of 3-5 feet and totaled 80 feet. It is valued at $28/foot for a grand total of $2,240. SEPTA workers manually lifted the gate.