The Lower Moreland Police Department has announced the following arrests:

Michael Gonsalves, 42, for arson, aggravated assault, evading arrest, and related charges (above right)

On Sunday, March 10 at approximately 4:00am, officers were dispatched for a report of a suspicious person at the 2200 block of Pine Road in Huntingdon Valley. The report is below:

Dispatch reported that there was a male at the front door of the residence wearing a mask and possibly attempting to get inside the home. Upon arrival, Officers observed the front porch of the home was fully engulfed in flames. There was a male at the front porch that appeared to throw something at the front of the home towards the fire. That male was wearing black pants and a reflective hooded sweatshirt. Additionally, there was a black Volkswagen sedan parked in front of the home facing southbound on Pine Road with its headlights off. As Officers arrived, the male seen at the porch of the residence began running towards the Volkswagen, however the vehicle began traveling south on Pine Road fleeing the area. The male on foot was unable to get into the fleeing vehicle before it fled. That male began fleeing eastbound into the yards of the homes on Pine Road. After pursuing the male through the yards, Officers were able to detain him in handcuffs. The fleeing male was identified as Michael Gonsalves. The fire was put out with the use of a fire extinguisher by one of the officers on scene. The residents and their pets were evacuated from the residence. There was damage to the front porch and front entryway of the home.

Gonsalves is being charged with the listed offenses:

(1) COUNT OF 3301 A1I ARSON-DANGER OF DEATH OR BODILY INJ (1) COUNT OF 5104.2 A EVADING ARREST OR DETENTION ON FOOT (1) COUNT OF 5506 LOITERING AND PROWLING AT NIGHT TIME (1) COUNT OF 2705 RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON (1) COUNT OF 3302 A CAUSING CATASTROPHE (1) COUNT OF 3304 A1 CRIM MISCH/DMG PROP INTENT RECKLESS OR NEGLIG (1) COUNT OF 3503 (B.1)(1)(II) CRIMINAL TRESPASS/SIMPLE TRESPASSER (1) COUNT OF 2702 A1 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

Edward Reed, 42, arrested for theft and receiving stolen property (above center)

On Thursday, January 11, officers responded to a report of a theft from a business along the 2700 block of Philmont Avenue in Huntingdon Valley. The report is below:

Officers met with the office manager who said a former employee, Edward Reed, had submitted his resignation letter and said he was not happy being employed by the owner of the company. In the letter, Reed believed he was owed money for working overtime and for working holidays. The company van last operated by Reed was parked and secured in front of the business, however, no one was able to access it because Reed was still in possession of the only copy of the key. Officers spoke with Reed and he admitted he had the vehicle key in his possession. Reed stated he would not return it until he received his paycheck. The keys were later found/returned. Th victim/business owner accessed the vehicle on January 12th, 2024, and discovered several tools belonging to the business were missing. The missing tools were valued at approximately $2,680. The victim/business owner provided video to police showing Reed driving to the front of the business in the work van and then to the rear of the business to a dumpster. Reed was seen offloading tools owned by the business at the dumpster. The surveillance footage then showed Reed driving his personal vehicle, which is a red pickup truck, back to the dumpster and loading those tools into his personal truck. An arrest warrant was requested and granted for Edward Reed. He is being charged with theft and receiving stolen property.

Jonaad Chughtai, 34, arrested for terroristic threats, assault, harassment (above right)

On Monday, March 11, officers responded to a physical domestic call at the 3000 block of Mettler Lane in Huntingdon Valley. The report is below:

Upon arrival, Officers met with the victims, who said their family member, Jonaad Chughtai, began arguing with them over a package which he had delivered. He suspected them both of hiding the package from him. Chughtai began screaming and yelling profanities at the victims while walking around the house looking for the package. Chughtai became physical and verbally threatened the victims. Further investigation proved the actions of Chughtai. Based on those facts Jonaad CHUGHTAI was arrested.

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Photos: LMPD