Philadelphia officials announced the arrest of Chaun Davis, 45, for his role as ringleader in a theft scheme that victimized dozens of Philadelphia residents as well as a Cheltenham Township police officer.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s press release, more than $160,000 worth of items were stolen from vehicles that were often damaged in the course of these crimes. Davis also allegedly broke into a Cheltenham Township police officers’ personal vehicle, The Philadelphia Tribune reported.
He is charged with dozens of theft from vehicle offenses he allegedly committed across the city between January and October. Items included firearms, cash, credit cards, electronics, and even police equipment such as bulletproof vests, firearm magazines, and gas masks. Investigators believe that in three of these incidents, Davis worked with two co-conspirators. Charges currently include:
- 17 counts of felony and misdemeanor Receiving Stolen Property
- 16 counts of felony and misdemeanor Theft by Unlawful Taking
- 14 counts of Theft from Motor Vehicle (M1)
- Two counts of VUFA 6105 (F1)
- Related Robbery (F1) and Conspiracy (F1) charges
The defendant is also under investigation in other jurisdictions, including Lower Merion and Montgomery counties, and has a lengthy multi-state criminal history for other offenses dating back to 1995. These crimes include illegal possession of firearms, Burglary, and Forgery.
The following image shows areas hit by Davis:
The following items were apprehended through the investigation:
The DA said the investigation is ongoing and that Davis is currently in custody on $1.25 million bail.
“Thanks to tireless policework, Chaun Davis’ wideranging crime spree is coming to an end,” said DA Larry Krasner. “My office is also taking this case incredibly seriously, as the Gun Violence Task Force and the DAO’s Economic Crimes Division and Carjacking Enforcement Unit are working together on the prosecution of this defendant.”
DA Krasner said the following outfits took part in Davis’ apprehension: Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Captain Robert McKeever, Commanding Officer of Southwest Detectives Division, Assistant District Attorney William Fritze, Supervisor, Gun Violence Task Force, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Doughty, DAO Economic Crimes Division and Carjacking Enforcement Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Anna Walters, Gun Violence Task Force.
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Photo: Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office