LANCASTER — A 31-year-old Reading man is charged with theft by deception after allegedly concocting a false story to get a loaner vehicle from a BMW dealership on the 1500 block Manheim Pike and then neglecting to return the car.
Garicin Allen Moore was arrested in Hamburg, Berks County, while still operating the vehicle, Manheim Township police say. He allegedly fabricated a story about being in a car crash to obtain the loaner vehicle, according to police.
Police say Moore told the dealership he had been involved in an accident and was having his car towed there for repairs. He requested a loaner car, and was issued a white BMW X1 worth $45,000.
When Moore’s car never arrived at the dealership, the employee who issued Moore the loaner car contacted Moore and asked him to return it. Moore said he would not return the car, but would meet with BMW personnel in Reading, police say. The BMW employee sent personnel to meet Moore in Reading, but Moore never showed, according to police.
The BMW employee then tracked the loaner car using its GPS to locate Moore, then contacted Hamburg Borough Police, who apprehended him.
Moore was arraigned on the charge. There was no word on bail arrangements.
The incident happened on Dec. 6, police say.
