Charges Held for Hatfield Knifepoint Robbery, Assault Suspect

 A Lansdale man, who allegedly held a former jailmate at knifepoint and threatened to kill him, is headed to Montgomery County court following a preliminary hearing Monday, reports The Reporter.

Benjamin Thomas Moore III, 40, allegedly assaulted a man inside a Hatfield Township home on the 800 block of Bethlehem Pike on Oct. 20, police said. Moore had been a resident of the home prior to going to jail, and he was allegedly mad at the victim for using Moore’s belongings while Moore was in jail, police said.

Moore faces the following charges:

• Felony Aggravated Assault
• Felony Robbery - Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury
• Two Misdemeanor Counts of Simple Assault
• Misdemeanor Recklessly Endangering Another Person
• Misdemeanor Terroristic Threats
• Misdemeanor Unlawful Restraint with Serious Bodily Injury
• Misdemeanor Unlawful Restraint with Involuntary Servitude
• Misdemeanor False Imprisonment
• Two counts of Possessing an Instrument of Crime

Arraignment at Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas was set by District Judge Andrea Duffy for Jan. 16, according to the article.

Moore remains incarcerated at Montgomery County prison on $10,000 bail. Moore’s bail was reduced at the hearing from $100,000 to $10,000 cash.

On Oct. 20 at 5:47 a.m., Hatfield Township Police responded to a reported robbery and assault on the 800 block of Bethlehem Pike in Colmar, Hatfield Township.

Police said the victim had returned home the prior evening and, upon entering his home, was allegedly confronted by Moore.

Police said Moore had been a previous resident of the property prior to going to jail.

Police said Moore was angry with the victim, who had used some of Moore's belongings while Moore was in jail.

The victim told police Moore allegedly punched him several times, knocking out his front teeth, police said.

Moore allegedly held the victim against his will at knifepoint, and threatened the man for the remainder of the night, police said. Moore allegedly refused to allow the victim to leave his home, police said.

During the course of the evening, Moore allegedly robbed the victim of his wallet and threatened to kill him, police said.

The victim told police he was held all night, and was finally able to escape through a back door when Moore went to the bathroom, police said. 

Hatfield Police found Moore inside the victim's home and arrested him, police said.

Moore was arraigned by District Judge Patricia Zaffarano, who set bail at $100,000 cash, police said.

Moore is headed toward trial on felony drug possession charges with intent to distribute, as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, furnishing drug-free urine - use or attempt, and adulteration or misbranding of a controlled substance, all from an August 2011 arrest in Upper Moreland, according to court records.

Moore is also headed toward trial on misdemeanor Pennsylvania vehicle offenses, including illegal operation of a vehicle without an ignition interlock, driving a vehicle that is not registered, driving a vehicle with suspended registration and driving a vehicle without insurance, according to court records.

Moore has had 11 criminal cases tried at the county court level since January 1991, according to court records.