Felony Charges Filed Against Man Suspected Of Stealing SUV With 1 Year Old Inside

UPDATED 12:10 p.m.:Marple Township Police arrested a man suspected of stealing the SUV that had a 1-year-old child in the back on Saturday evening, police said. Court documents show Dillion Valenti, 22, of Havertown, was arrested Saturday in connection with the vehicle theft.

Court documents show Valenti has been charged with felony receiving stolen property, felony theft by unlawful taking, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Valenti was remanded tot he county jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, court records show.

He is slated to appear before Magisterial District Judge David H. Lang on Jan. 26 for his preliminary hearing, court records show.

Police said Valenti was taken into custody without incident and was identified as a suspect less than 48 hours after the incident as a result of Detective Mike Sharkey perseverance.

"Because of the rapid response of patrol officers on Saturday evening – especially Sgt Tony Colgan and Officer Eric Miller who arrived at the chaotic scene less than one minute after the first 911 call was received," police said, "this incident had a higher than normal chance of being resolved successfully."

The incident occurred Saturday at about 5:10 p.m. as the SUV was left running at the shopping plaza. The couple driving the vehicle were in separate stores with a 1-year-old girl strapped in a car seat.

The vehicle was stolen but then recovered a few minutes later with the child unharmed.

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