Police Make Arrest in $190k Cash Theft in 24 Hours
On Monday, April 29, 2024, at 5:00 pm, the Bensalem Police received a report of a theft from a vehicle parked at the Conoco Gas Station located at 2700 Knights Road. Upon arrival, the victim informed the police that $190,000 had been stolen from a box placed in the back seat of his 2017 Tesla while he was inside the gas station. The victim is the owner of a company that owns “skill” machines in the area, and he was servicing one of those machines at the gas station when the theft occurred.
On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Bensalem Police obtained surveillance footage of the theft and identified the suspect vehicle as a white Kia Optima with front-end damage. The thief was a white male accompanied by a female passenger. Using surveillance cameras and Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), Bensalem Police were able to identify the vehicle’s owner. It was found that Christopher Plytas, a 43-year-old man, was associated with the owner’s address and was involved in a traffic accident in October 2023 in Bristol Township in the same white Kia Optima.
The police obtained photographs of Christopher Plytas and identified him as the person who stole the $190,000 cash from the victim’s vehicle. District Justice Michael Gallagher approved an arrest warrant for Christopher Plytas, and a search of the ALPR system led police to Glen Hollow Apartments in Croydon. The police observed the white Kia Optima parked in the parking lot and kept the location under surveillance for over four hours. Eventually, Christopher Plytas returned to his apartment in building 8 of Glen Hollow Apartments, where he was taken into custody without incident.
The Bensalem Police obtained a search warrant for the apartment and searched the white Kia Optima. They seized numerous items, including narcotics, paraphernalia, clothing, and US currency totaling approximately $40,000. Police continue to investigate this crime to determine if this was a targeted operation, identify any co-conspirators, and attempt to locate the additional money that was reported stolen.
Christopher Plytas was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking, Theft from a Motor Vehicle, and related charges. He was arraigned by District Justice Kevin Wagner and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $2,000,000 bail.
Sourced: CRIMEWATCH®