Armed Robber Who Abducted Upper Moreland Driver Captured: Police

UPPER MORELAND, PA — The armed robber who abducted a driver in Upper Moreland earlier this month has been captured and tied to a enormous string of other crimes, authorities announced.

Jamal Reid, 35, of Philadelphia, also committed 24 other burglaries and robberies at businesses throughout the region, making off with more than $290,000 all told, police said.

The abduction incident occurred on June 1 at 5:45 a.m. at a business on Turnpike Drive.

Reid, wielding a handgun and wearing a dark surgical mask, got into the backseat of a vehicle of an employee who was on a break, police said.

Reid took the victim's phone and wallet, then ordered him to drive to his home, police said.

Once there, Reid went inside and stole money and other belongings, according to police.
He then left the area on foot, police said.

Reid's eventual capture by Upper Moreland's Criminal Investigations Division ultimately led police to connect him to ongoing investigations for dozens of other crimes.

From May 2021 to March 2022, Reid stole from gas stations, restaurants, banks, car dealerships, a Family Dollar, and more, police said. The businesses were in Bensalem Township, several Montgomery County communities, and Philadelphia, the Montgomery County District Attorney said.

A task force connected the crimes to Reid using DNA and fingerprint evidence, as well as cell phone images and data that showed his phone at the targeted businesses. Video surveillance also connected him to the crimes, police said. See more details on the case here.

Reid was taken to Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 21.