Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

UPDATE: Two-man crime wave halted

Bail was set at $1.1 million for a Bucks County man accused of stealing dozens of contractors' work vans and tools during a seven-month crime wave.

Bail was set at $1.1 million for a Bucks County man accused of stealing dozens of contractors' work vans and tools during a seven-month crime wave.

David Zagami, 38, of Croydon, Bucks County, is charged with 56 counts of thefts, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, conspiracy and related offenses. Between July 2012 and January 2013, prosecutors said Zagami stole 31 Ford Econoline and Chevrolet Express contractor vans for the tools inside. He is also accused of stealing tools from inside another 19 vans and from inside several buildings.

Prosecutors said Zagami, also known as David Keefe, made approximately $400 to $600 from selling the contents in each vehicle. Once the tools were taken, prosecutors said the vehicles were abandoned in the same area in Croydon. The locks and ignitions in all of the vehicles were damaged, authorities said.

Prosecutors also charged a Philadelphia man, Eric Guerra Chacon, 37, with receiving the stolen property from Zagami and trying to sell it. Chacon, of Louden Street near 2nd, surrendered to authorities on May 3. He is being held on a detainer by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Zagami targeted small contractors and when he stole their vans and equipment he literally stole their livelihood," District Attorney Seth Williams said. "In these tough economic times this is especially troubling."

Zagami was arraigned Tuesday night and held on $1.1 million bail. Both he and Chacon are scheduled to appear in court on May 10.

The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department's Major Crimes Auto Squad, Bristol Township Police and Bensalem Township Police.