Northampton Police Catch Alleged Serial Car Thief In Undercover Operation

NORTHAMPTON, PA — A 33-year-old Philadelphia man who police say plagued Northampton Township with numerous car thefts and car burglaries has been arrested following an undercover operation by local law enforcement, authorities announced.

According to police, over the past two weeks numerous thefts from unlocked vehicles and thefts of vehicles with keys left inside were reported in the Holland section of the township. In response, plain clothes officers were deployed the night of Sept. 20.

Around 11:20 p.m. that night, one of the plain clothes officers located one of the previously stolen vehicles on Forrest Drive. A short time later, a stolen GMC Arcadia was located on East Heron Drive.

The plain clothes officers, assisted by a detective and uniform patrol officers, set up a surveillance on the stolen vehicles. Shortly after, a suspect attempted to enter one of the stolen cars. A brief struggle ensued, and the man, identified as Stephen Harkins, was taken into custody.

Harkins, a former resident of Bensalem, is charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and loitering and prowling at night.

He was arraigned before District Justice Gallagher and remanded to Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Police believe Harkins is involved in previously reported thefts from vehicles and theft of vehicles and are trying to determine if anyone assisted him in these crimes. Anyone with information regarding the thefts should call the Northampton Township Police Department at 215-322-6111, and speak with Det. John Gross or Ofc. Sean McLaughlin.