Bucks Co. Police Officer, Ex-Town Employee Conspired To Steal Vehicles: DA

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A Bucks County police officer and a municipal employee conspired on a plan to rig bids to steal decommissioned vehicles, authorities said.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office said a recent grand jury investigation has led to felony charges against an Upper Southampton Township police officer and a former public works employee in a criminal conspiracy involving bid rigging and theft of township vehicles.

Police Officer Derek J. Gale and Brandon F. Valentino, the township's former assistant public works director, conspired to intentionally lower the value of decommissioned township vehicles to secure them at a reduced price through the Municibid auction website, authorities said.

The scheme involved two Ford Explorer vehicles used by the Upper Southampton Township Police Department.

The investigation found that Gale and Valentino misrepresented the condition of a 2014 green Ford Explorer to lower its auction value. Before listing the vehicle on Municibid, they removed the upgraded aluminum rims, authorities said.

The listing claimed the vehicle needed a new engine, had a water pump leak, and would need to be towed.

Authorities said, due to that low bid, the vehicle was purchased by Valentino for $1,005. The vehicle was inspected and found to be in good working order with its original engine, no water pump leak, and was determined to be drivable.

Valentino later reinstalled the upgraded rims and sold the vehicle for a significantly higher price, authorities said.

A year later, in April 2025, the same pattern of activity occurred with a 2013 gray Ford Explorer. The investigation found that Gale removed the upgraded rims from this vehicle before it was listed on Municibid.

The listing described the vehicle as needing a new battery, a new rack and pinion, and a water pump, and claimed it would need to be towed, authorities said.

After Gale won the bid for $2,105, he drove the vehicle off the lot. An inspection revealed that the vehicle was in good condition, started without issue, and its steering and water pump were functional, authorities said.

The upgraded aluminum rims were later found to have been reinstalled on the vehicle after Gale took possession.

Gale, 47, of Morrisville, and Valentino, 27, of Chalfont, were charged with bid rigging, theft by deception, criminal conspiracy to commit theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, criminal conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking, theft by receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy to commit theft by receiving stolen property.

Both were arraigned on Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge Brian M. Marriott and released on unsecured bail.

Authorities said that Gale is currently on paid administrative leave with the police department.

Valentino was terminated from his public works position, authorities said.