Community Corner

Lansdale Man Facing Heroin Possesion Charges Arrested for Robbery

Ronald Heitz, of Wedgewood Drive, allegedly robbed a friend of $275 cash Monday night and fled the scene. He was arrested on a warrant Tuesday when he came to Lansdale Police to discuss a prior arrest

A Lansdale man has been arrested Tuesday for felony strong arm robbery in the borough.

Ronald Heitz, 20, of the 800 block of Wedgewood Drive, was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Harold Borek on third-degree felony robbery, misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking and misdemeanor receiving stolen property, police said.

Bail was set at $10,000 cash, police said. Heitz was unable to post bail and remains incarcerated at Montgomery County prison.

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A preliminary hearing is set for August 9 at 12:30 p.m. on the robbery offense.

Heitz has a preliminary hearing set on the same date at 12:45 p.m. on the heroin possession charges.

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On July 16 at 7:25 p.m., responded to the area of North Mitchell Avenue and West Fifth Street for a report of a strong arm robbery, police said. 

Police met with the victim, a 25-year-old man from the 700 block of West Third Street, who told police that he was robbed by Heitz, police said.

The victim told police Heitz called him and told him he wanted to talk. The victim came out of his house, met with Heitz and the two began walking and talking, police said.

While walking with Heitz, the victim pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. In doing so, $275 in cash also came out of his pocket, police said.

At that point, Heitz allegedly grabbed the money out of the victim's hand and started running, police said.

The victim chased Heitz, but lost him around the Thunderbird Apartments at West Third Street and Mitchell Avenue, police said. 

A friend of the victim reportedly saw Heitz enter a maroon or red Jeep Cherokee and flee the scene, police said. A Be On the Lookout, or BOLO, was released to area police departments, police said.

Police said Heitz called Lansdale Police Department around 10:10 p.m., stating in a message that he heard police were looking for him. An officer attempted to reach Heitz by phone, but was unable to contact him.

On the morning of Tuesday, July 17, Lansdale Detective Steve Owens spoke with Heitz on the phone and asked him to come to the station, police said. Heitz refused to come to the station, police said, and wanted to talk about the July 5 arrest at Fifth Street Park over the phone.

A criminal complaint was filed against Heitz and a warrant was obtained Tuesday, police said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Heitz came in person to the Lansdale Police Department wanting to talk about the Fifth Street Park arrest on July 5, police said.

Unbeknownst to Heitz, police were waiting to serve the new warrant on him, police said. 


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