Courts. (Credit: Flickr/Creative Commons)
The SUV was reported stolen over a year ago in New Jersey, police said
A West Norriton man accused of driving an SUV that was stolen more than a year ago in New Jersey after being stopped in Lower Providence Township had both serious charges withdrawn at a preliminary hearing Tuesday.
Sharif Za Blount-Potter, 31, of the 1300 block of Colonial Court, Jeffersonville, had charges of felony receiving stolen property and misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle withdrawn, and the remaining charge of driving with a suspended license was moved to traffic court, according to an affidavit.
On Nov. 21, 2024, 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 had been 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.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
