Credit: Bucks County Department of Corrections
A warranted searched of a conversion van impounded after its driver was arrested for stealing from several vehicles in Fairless Hills has lead to additional charges, Bristol Township police said.
Michael Beard Jr., 23, of the Morrisville section of Falls Township, is now facing several charges of receiving stolen property, possession of possible drug paraphernalia and single charges of possession of marijuana and make repairs/sell offensive an weapon. He is already facing charges of several counts of theft from a motor vehicle, conspiracy and receiving stolen property in connection with the alleged thefts from the vehicles.
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According to police, several items reported stolen during the May 28 thefts from vehicles in the Fairless Hills section of Bristol Township were found in the van.
A pair of sunglasses, a bank card and a GPS system were among the items recovered, police said. Investigators also found several items used by first responders. Court papers show that an emergency strobe light, emergency pager and keys belonging to the Bucks County Rescue Squad were recovered from the van.
Police also recovered over 20 grams of suspected marijuana, cocaine, Xanax and several items of what are believed by authorities to be drug paraphernalia, according to an affidavit.
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Beard and his alleged accomplice – Nathan Oppmann, 19, of Croydon – were spotted by an off-duty officer who told responding law enforcement that he witnessed the two men entering vehicles and taking change in the area of Fernwood Lane and Queen Anne Drive in Fairless Hills shortly before 1 a.m. on May 28. The officer confronted the two men and they jumped in the van and backed down the street in an attempt to hide the license plate from the off-duty officer, police said.
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Oppmannn and Beard fled and the van were spotted in the nearby Hidden Forrest Apartment Complex, police said. The two ran when they saw a police car arrive and an officer chased after the two into woods in the rear of the 900 building, court papers state.
According to police, both suspects were captured in the woods.
Shorty after, county dispatch advised of a second 911 call stating a witness saw the two men put objects in the bushes near his apartment, according to court documents.
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Several items stolen from vehicle in Fairless Hills were recovered in the bushes, police said.
In an interview with police, Oppmann said Beard asked him to watch his back while he stole from vehicle. He said Beard offered to pay him money to help, court documents said. Oppmann cooperated with investigators after being caught, police said.
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Beard remains in county jail unable to post bail.
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