Borough of Bridgeport Police Department Special Press Release # 01-2022

FROM:           Chief Todd J. Bereda

SUBJECT:      BPD Incident# 21-1126011-Arrest of Albert R. Crawford IV

DATE:             January 20th, 2022

On Thursday, January 20th, 2022, The Bridgeport Borough Police Department reports the arrest of Albert R. Crawford IV of the Unit Block of Center Street, Upper Merion Twp. Crawford, 49 years of age was the owner/operator of a red, 2010 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that, on November 26th, 2021, at 2:57 PM, struck a male bicyclist on Cherry Alley at the 400 Block Grove Street in the Borough of Bridgeport. The victim was transported to Paoli Trauma Center and treated for life threatening injuries. An intensive investigation into the accident was conducted with the assistance of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau resulting in today’s arrest.

Significant evidence linking Crawford to the accident was gathered by Bridgeport Detectives that placed the red, single cab pickup truck with a black bumper from a few minutes prior to the accident in front of the defendant’s address, less than 7/10ths of a mile from the accident scene. These include multiple videos showing the vehicle departing the location of the home along a route leading up to the scene of the accident, down Cherry Alley to Ford Street, onto 4th Street and onto Depot Street. The videos place the vehicle back at same address within 30 minutes of the accident. The vehicle was identifiable to police, and it was seized a short time later near the suspects’ home. A search warrant was served on the vehicle and a forensic inspection was conducted that was able to connect the vehicle to the crime scene through debris and damage to the vehicle and the bicycle. The investigation yielded significant neglect to the operability of the vehicle.

Additional evidence secured through the Courts place the defendant at the scene of the accident and along the flight path as connected to the video evidence. Further incriminating evidence was gathered by investigators confirming that the defendant was knowledgeable about striking the victim and leaving him roadside.

Crawford was arrested and taken for processing and subsequent arraignment to the Montgomery County Prison.  A preliminary hearing for Crawford will be scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Gallagher at District Court# 38-1-25 soon. Crawford was held in lieu of posting bail at the Montgomery County Prison and pending the hearing. No further information is available.

The following is a listing of the charges against the defendant.

Title 75    3732.1         Aggravated Assault by Vehicle. F3

Title 75    3742 (B.2)   Accident Involving Serious Bodily Injury or Death. F3

Title 18    2705             Recklessly Endangering Another Person. M2

Title 75    3742 (A)       Accident Involving Death or Personal Injury. M1

Title 75    1786 (F)       Operating Motor Vehicle without Financial Responsibility. S

Title 75    3323 (B)      Duties at Stop Signs. S

Title 75    3744 (A)      Failure to Stop and Give Information and Render Aid. S

Title 75    3746 (A)(1) Failure to Notify Police of Accident Involving Injury or Death. S

Title 4107 (B)(2)           Operating a Motor Vehicle with Unsafe Equipment. S

Title 4525 (A)               Improper Tire Equipment and Traction Surfaces. S

No further information is available. All Press inquiries are directed to Chief Todd J. Bereda via chief@bridgeportpd.com or 610-272-5661.