Bucks County copper wire thieves stole during fatal flood search, cut off 911: police
Nine Bucks County residents are accused of removing utility wires throughout the county for five months to sell as scrap with police alleging members even posing as search party members after the deadly July floods to steal.
The group called themselves the “Get Money Squad” operated between May and this month stealing Verizon wires from utility poles in Lower and Upper Makefield, Warminster, Bensalem and Bristol Township, police said.
The thefts cost the utility company more than $250,000 to replace, according to a Bucks County District Attorney’s Office press release.
Here is what we know about the case.
How the “Get Money Squad” allegedly operated
Investigators allege that members of the theft ring would case locations throughout Bucks County, climb utility poles and lop off the wires. They would then remove the wires’ protective layers by burning off the plastic coating before selling the copper to a scrap yard.
The crimes not only damaged Verizon property but also impacted service to Verizon customers including the ability to call 911, authorities said.
Bristol Township police responded to a brush first July 1 in the 5000 block of Bristol Pike where officers found a large amount of cut Verizon utility wire, a burn location and a large pile of Verizon utility wire outer casing.
Officers also saw three men, including one of the defendants, nearby burning Verizon utility wire, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
What is the connection with the search for Conrad and Mattie Sheils?
Investigators allege that evidence shows some of the nine defendants posed as members of a search party looking for the two missing children swept away during the July 15 flooding in Upper Makefield.
The group allegedly took advantage of the tragedy because of the thickness of the wire in that location, flash flooding had closed the road, and because they knew law enforcement would be overwhelmed with rescue efforts, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The organization members targeted Verizon utility poles along Taylorsville Road in Upper and Lower Makefield, Mearns Road in Warminster, State Road and American Drive in Bensalem and Wilson Avenue in Bristol, police said.
Confidential informants told authorities that the copper wire was transported to European Metal Recycling to be scrapped and that defendants knew a worker at the company that helped them, the affidavit said.
Who are the suspects and what are the charges?
Eight of the nine suspects were arrested on Oct. 19 on a variety of charges including felony corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property, and theft of metal.
A suspected ringleader, Ryan Jeffrey Potts, 38, of Bensalem, is also charged with soliciting someone to make a straw purchase of a firearm for him. Potts is not legally permitted to possess a firearm in Pennsylvania.
Those charged in addition to Potts are:
Marianna Harkins, 36, of Bristol Township, who is also a suspected ringleader.
Michael John Cronon, 39, of Bristol Township
Paige Eiseman, 33, of Bristol Township
Frederick E. Lee Sr., 64, of Bristol
Richard Machen, 43, of Bristol
Nicholas Palmer, 27, of Bristol Township
Raymond Gerald Paul Jr., 38, of Doylestown
Potts and Harkins were sent to Bucks County Correctional facility in lieu of 10% of $600,000 bail and the others were incarcerated in lieu of 10% of $500,000 bail.
The ninth member of the group, Kimberly Ann Mayger, 52, of Bristol, has an active warrant for her arrest, but has not been located yet, authorities said.
Morrisville news Why Morrisville taxpayers are paying for borough manager's work week hotel stays
"Kayden's Law" back before Legislature Kayden's Law child reform is back before PA legislators. Will it advance this time?
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County copper wire theft ring charged
