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Briefly: Cop charged with drug theft

A former Upper Darby Township detective, a 17-year veteran, has been charged with stealing narcotics from the evidence room to support his drug habit, officials announced yesterday.

Cop charged with drug theft

A former Upper Darby Township detective, a 17-year veteran, has been charged with stealing narcotics from the evidence room to support his drug habit, officials announced yesterday.

Charges against Brad Ross, 41, of Aldan Township, included theft, receiving stolen property, and tampering with evidence. He was released after posting 10 percent of $50,000 bail. A hearing was set for Wednesday.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said at a news conference that because of Ross's actions, his office had to throw out three cases, adding that Ross' thefts dated to 2012.

Neither Ross, who surrendered yesterday morning and appeared in District Court in Newtown Township, nor his attorney, Brian McMonagle, would comment.

Michael Chitwood, the Upper Darby police superintendent, declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but said the DA's investigation was "complete, in-depth and professional."

According to court documents, on Jan. 29 another Upper Darby investigator, Kevin Dinan, an evidence custodian for the department, discovered that evidence bags were out of place and pills were missing.

He contacted Ross, who said he had the rest of the pills stored in his desk and that an envelope was incorrectly photographed and needed to be re-photographed.

Two days later, Ross, who had received numerous department commendations during his 15-year career, checked himself into an inpatient drug rehabilitation center. He resigned from the department in March.

Further investigation revealed that evidence was missing or tampered with in more than 200 cases.

Among items missing were more than $14,000, along with 3,767 pills and suboxone strips, eight cellphones, gift cards and jewelry.

Ross also attempted to cover up the thefts by illegally purchasing drugs from individuals, according to court records.

Ella Ross, his wife, told investigators that he had been involved in two incidents in which he had been injured at work. Both times he was prescribed Percocet.

She acknowledged that she had purchased illegal drugs for him, officials said.

Investigators found that in a 16-month period Ross had been prescribed 1,400 Oxycodone tablets.

D.A. to meet with taxi reps

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams has agreed to meet with the Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Limousine Association, a group of about 480 limo drivers mostly affiliated with the luxury car division of Uber Technologies Inc., a Williams spokesman said yesterday.

The taxi and UberBlack drivers want Williams to enforce the Philadelphia Parking Authority's ban on lower-cost UberX operations in the city. UberX is allowed to operate in other Pennsylvania counties. Uber said the Parking Authority does not have the authority to regulate UberX because UberX is a mobile app and ride-sharing program, not a car service.

Bucks man charged with abusing girls

A 54-year-old Bucks County man, who last year pleaded guilty to driving a truck into a district courthouse, yesterday was charged with exposing himself to two girls and sexually abusing them.

William Edward Shaw of Levittown was charged with indecent assault, indecent exposure and corruption of minors.

Shaw is in Bucks County Prison on other charges and will stay there until his case comes before a judge next year, Falls Township police said yesterday.

Shaw has been in and out of jail for driving under the influence, theft and criminal trespassing for more than 25 years.

- Mari Schaefer and Michaelle Bond