Upper Darby Man Confesses to Multiple Copper Thefts
Police say the man has stolen copper from three area churches since mid-September.
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An Upper Darby man suspected of stealing six copper downspouts from Trinity Lutheran Church last week turned himself into authorities and confessed to that crime and several other area copper thefts, Haverford Township Police announced yesterday.
Steven Michael Molitor, 34, was charged with four counts each of institutional vandalism, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property.
According to Haverford Police, Trinity Lutheran’s surveillance system captured a white male removing the downspouts from the church the morning of October 10 and putting them in a silver Honda Accord. After Action News broadcast the video on October 11, police received two tips from viewers identifying the thief as Molitor.
Molitor subsequently came to the station and, in the course of an interview, confessed to the Trinity Lutheran copper theft, as well as previous thefts of St. George’s Church in Ardmore in mid-September and the Church of the Holy Apostle on October 1.
Molitor was arrested, charged, and arraigned on October 16 and his bail was set at $25,000. He faces preliminary hearing on October 25.
Lorbee
12:48 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I think there needs to be some responsibility on the part of the persons receiving the stolen goods. it's criminal to accept stolen property, so where are these guys turning in this copper for cash? Is there ever a form filled out as to where the stuff comes from?? Unless and until they cannot unload this without a few questions of accountability, then maybe some of these thefts would be a thing of the past.
FRANKW
2:09 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
He's a good looking fella....