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Crime & Safety

Car Thief Nabbed by Vehicle's Owner, Cops Say

A Philadelphia man was arrested after he tried to steal a car in Middletown on Tuesday.

A broadcast over police radio led the an arrest at gunpoint in Middletown Township Tuesday afternoon.

Dustin Cullen, 26, of Philadelphia, was arrested for trying to steal a car from a gym. Police say it was not the first time it happened.

A male victim had just finished his workout at the Plant Fitness in the Langhorne section of the township when he noticed the keys to the vehicle were missing, police said.

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He ran outside and saw his 2005 block Jeep being backed out of parking spot, police said.

According to an affidavit, the victim ran to the Jeep and opened the door and yelled at driver, “What are you doing?”

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The victim told police that the driver—later identified as Cullen—next closed the door and drove off. He got blocked in when he made a wrong turn and fled the Jeep on foot, police said.

The victim ran after the individual across East Lincoln Highway and caught up with Cullen at the fence to a fireworks business’ property, court documents show.

Cullen appeared to have given up and told the victim he was “sorry” and was willing to walk back to the parking lot, police said.

When the victim and alleged thief got to the parking lot, Cullen jumped into a gold Nissan Maxima and speed off onto northbound East Lincoln Highway, police said.

The affidavit says an officer responding to the vehicle theft call spotted the Cullen's Nissan making a left on Woodbourne Road. The patrolwoman followed the car as it turned into the TD Bank on the corner and watched the driver back in a parking spot.

With his gun drawn, the officer ordered Cullen out of the car and waited until backup arrived before arresting him, police said.

Middletown authorities said they later discovered Cullen is the culprit behind three similar vehicle thefts from the former Bally’s Total Fitness Center near the Oxford Valley Mall in the township.

Cullen was arraigned before District Justice Dan Baranoski on charges of theft and receiving stolen property and sent to county jail in lieu of 10 percent of $45,000 bail.

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