Pennsylvania Man Drove Stolen Car To Police Station To Ask For His Drugs Back

A 24-year-old guy near Philadelphia drove a stolen car to a police station to ask for his drugs back after an earlier run-in with cops.

Hatfield Man Faces Charges After Allegedly Stealing Car, Asking Police for Drugs, and Attempting Theft at Target

A 24-year-old Hatfield resident, Christopher Jordan Ganzel, is facing multiple charges after a series of events that involved the theft of a new Subaru Forester, a visit to a police station to request the return of his drugs, and attempted theft at a Target store, according to Lansdale Police.

On August 21, Ganzel, who resides in an apartment on the 20th block of Poplar Street, was charged with felony theft by unlawful taking, felony receiving stolen property, and misdemeanor unauthorized use of a vehicle. Court documents reveal that he is currently out on $5,000 unsecured bail.

How Did Ganzel Get In So Much Legal Trouble?

The incident began when Lansdale Police were called to the Lansdale Public Library parking lot at 301 Vine Street around 1:31 p.m. on August 21 for a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim reported parking his green 2023 Subaru Forester in the front row of the library lot around 12:30 p.m., next to a blue Toyota RAV-4. He mentioned that he and his son exited the car, and he placed the key fob in his pocket. The Subaru reportedly emitted a beeping sound when the victim walked away, a feature that activates when the car is left running without the fob inside.

According to the police complaint, surveillance footage showed a man, identified as Ganzel, wearing a white tank top, black pants, and black-and-white sneakers, leaving the library and entering the Subaru at 12:48 p.m.

Driving The Stolen Car To The Police Station

Shortly afterward, Hatfield Police notified Lansdale officers that Ganzel had driven the stolen Subaru to their station, where he asked officers for his drugs to be returned. Hatfield Police were already familiar with Ganzel due to prior incidents. Following his visit to the police station, Ganzel reportedly left and drove to a nearby Target store in Montgomery Township, where he attempted to steal items before fleeing southbound on Route 309 in the stolen Subaru.

The stolen Subaru, valued at $30,000, was captured on surveillance footage during Ganzel's attempted theft at Target, police said.

Court records also indicate that just five days prior to this incident, Ganzel was charged by Lower Merion Township Police with simple trespassing and disorderly conduct involving obscene language. He was released on $1,000 unsecured bail after his arraignment on August 16.

Ganzel's preliminary hearing is set for October 16 at 9:30 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Edward Levine.