Police arrested a man accused of stealing thousands of dollars' worth of bicycle equipment from the Wounded Warrior Project.
Roy Bowman, 48, was arrested and charged with theft and receiving stolen property.
The investigation began on August 13 at 8 a.m. when police responded to the Renaissance Philadelphia Airport Hotel at 500 Stevens Drive in Tinicum Township. Police were informed that a U-Haul truck in the parking lot of the hotel that contained multiple bicycles, parts and equipment belonging to the Wounded Warrior Project had been stolen. The materials had an estimated value of $37,000.
The driver of the truck told police he had parked the vehicle at the hotel parking lot around 11 p.m. August 12 and it was stolen at some point between then and the morning of August 13. The theft occurred hours before the project's annual Soldier Ride in Philadelphia.
On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Police Department Major Crimes Unit received information reporting that the stolen bikes and parts were inside a garage in a home on the 4100 block of Sterling Street in Philadelphia and that the man who lived at the home drove a silver Chevy Trailblazer. Later that day, investigators went to the home and observed the Trailblazer pulling up to the back of the property. They then spotted someone removing a dark-colored Trek racing bicycle from the rear of the Chevy and placing it in the back of the property.
After obtaining a search warrant for the home, police spotted Bowman inside, investigators said. Bowman allegedly jumped up from the living room, ran towards the back of the property and then stopped after seeing officers in the back. Bowman was arrested and police recovered four of the stolen Wounded Warrior bicycles, equipment and parts valued at $8,000, according to officials.
Police continue to investigate the thefts. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. James Simpkins, Jr. at 610-521-3830.
