Pennsylvania State Police seek owners of stolen items

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- The Pennsylvania State Police have hundreds of stolen items they've recovered on display in Media, Delaware County.

They're hoping to reconnect innocent burglary victims with their belongings. They've got everything from chainsaws to hedge trimmers and more.

Among those recovering their stuff is Bill Gowie. He says thieves targeted his home last month and stole thousands of dollars' worth of equipment.

He was shocked when he got a call from police that the items had been recovered.

"They hit me good. They hit me and my neighbor behind me. They went through my yard and my garage, out the door and through his fence and out his garage. It makes you wonder, were they checking on you? Or spying on you? That is what scares me," he said.

Gowie is just one of many residents in Delaware and Chester counties who will be pleasantly surprised to learn that they will be getting their stolen property back.

State police are displaying stolen items, most of them chainsaws, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and other power tools, at the station along West Baltimore Pike.

Police believe the items were stolen over a two year period. Troopers arrested a suspect and found a garage full of stolen property.

"He was discovered when we were out doing an investigation on another burglary. That male was in the tree line and the troopers located him and took him into custody. They did a search warrant on the property and that is how we recovered the stolen items," said Trooper Timothy Greene.

"Our state troopers do a great job and they work will hard for us, and this time the good guys won," said Josh Twersky of Thornton, Pa.

Police say if you think you were a victim, bring in a police report, or proof of ownership - like a receipt serial number - and your items will be returned.

David Christie of Thornton is hoping to recover some of his stolen property.

"I am kind of shocked that I actually got a call. Apparently they found somebody with a garage full of items, as you can see, and he could not prove they were his and here we are," Christie said.

Police say a good idea if you have a big ticket item, keep the receipt, jot down the serial number and write you initial or some identifying information on the item. Gowie did it and it made the recovery process that much sweeter.

"Everybody is back, good reunion. The Eagles win last night, that was great, and I win!" he said.

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