Police news.
The defendant was stopped on Thursday, after police passed him in traffic.
A West Norriton man has been accused of driving an SUV that was stolen more than a year ago in New Jersey after being stopped in Lower Providence Township.
Sharif Za Blount-Potter, 31, of the 1300 block of Colonial Court, Jeffersonville, was charged Thursday by Lower Providence Township Police with felony receiving stolen property, misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and driving with a suspended license, according to an affidavit.
On Thursday at 10:07 a.m., police were patrolling eastbound Ridge Pike near Trooper Road, when they spotted a black 2020 Ford Edge with New Jersey registration traveling the opposite direction, police said. Police were made aware of the stolen car on Wednesday, when it was entered as stolen by Burlington City Police Department, according to the complaint.
Police followed the Ford into the parking lot of Advance Auto Parts at 2637 Ridge Pike, and activated its emergency lights. Police said the driver, identified as Blount-Potter, exited the car and started walking toward them.
Blount-Potter was told to get back in the car and then asked for his license, which he said was suspended, police said. He instead gave police a passport card, which came up negative on warrants, police said.
Police arrested Blount-Potter and told him the car is stolen out of New Jersey, according to the complaint.
Authorities contacted Ford Johnson Dealership and Burlington City Police, and both confirmed the Ford has been missing more than a year, police said. Burlington Police confirmed the stolen car and said anyone driving it should be placed into custody, according to the affidavit.
Blount-Potter was arraigned and released Thursday on $25,000 unsecured bail, according to court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 11:45 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
