Police: Car Crash Thwarts Silver Bar Theft Getaway

While making a getaway down Ridge Avenue after allegedly stealing valuable silver bars and coins, two Philadelphia men crashed their car, leading to their eventual arrest, Philadelphia Police said.

Carlo McMaster, 43, and Robert Culp, 26, face several theft charges following their arrest Nov. 16 in Roxborough from an incident near the Ivy Ridge Shopping Center, court records indicate.

Police said at 11:19 a.m. that day, a woman witnessed a man break into a Gold Buick Enclave from 7100 Ridge Ave. and remove an unknown object. He jumped into a white Chrysler 300, and another man drove them away.

The two, later positively identified as McMaster and Culp, police said, headed out to Henry Avenue and traveled southbound.

Near the Monastery Avenue intersection, they crashed the car. Police arrested them at 6100 Henry Ave.

Both sustained injuries and were treated at Roxborough Memorial Hospital before being transported to the Northwest Detective Division.

Police found a bag containing six silver bars and various coins, valued at $19,000.

McMaster, from Southwest Philadelphia, was arraigned Nov. 17 and charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, conspiracy theft by unlawful taking, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, and criminal mischief. He posted $50,000 bail at 10 percent and was released.

Culp, also from Southwest Philadelphia, faces all of the same charges, except fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. He posted the same bail.

After a Dec. 3 hearing was continued, a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Jan. 14, 2013.