On Saturday, March 26, 2022 at around 0759 hours, officers responded to the area of Byberry Road and Orchard Road for a report of an armed subject. The complainant reported an individual driving in a white work van had pulled a gun on them. The complainant continued giving dispatch descriptions of the van and reported last seeing the van turning north onto Davisville Road in Upper Moreland Township.
The complainant stopped and identified themselves to police and provided a written statement regarding the incident. According to the complainant, as they were traveling west on Byberry Road, shortly after crossing the intersection with Huntingdon Pike, a white work van pulled out in front of them and was traveling below the posted speed limit. The complainant decided to pass the van on the left, over the solid yellow lines. As they were passing the van, they looked to their right at the driver of the van and observed the operator of the van pointing a silver colored, semi-automatic handgun at the complainant through the driver's side window.
The act caused the complainant to be in fear and called 911. A description of the suspect was given to police. Through investigation, a suspect was identified as Theodore Barnard. A check of the records of sale or transfer of firearms for Barnard showed one record for a 40 caliber Ruger. No concealed carry permit could be located for Barnard.
At around 0953 hours on March 26, 2022, officers drove to Barnard’s address and observed a white Nissan work van in the driveway which displayed the details described by the complainant. Officers spoke with Barnard outside the residence, who corroborated facts about the incident, but denied displaying a gun. Barnard confirmed that he does not possess a permit to carry concealed firearms. At the officer’s request, Barnard retrieved his handgun from his residence and showed it to me. Barnard brought the weapon out of the residence inside a black backpack. I observed in the backpack, along with the firearm, a full magazine in the same zippered compartment. The handgun was a Ruger SR40 with a black handle and a silver slide.
Based on the facts outlined, firearms trace completed by the ATF, as well as other information, a warrant for Theodore Barnard’s was applied for and granted.
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, LMPD received a notification that Montgomery Township has Barnard in custody on our warrant. Barnard was brought LMPD and brought before a judge.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREFORE, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDENTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.
