The man convicted of stealing an SUV from Hopkins Ford on the Fairway in November 2010 was sentenced to three to eight years in state prison today, Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney John Walko said.

According to court documents, Anwar Jamal Carter, 30, of Philadelphia, stole a Mercury Mariner from the used car lot at the dealership, fled on The Fairway, headed up Susquehanna Road, blew a red light and crashed into a vehicle in the corner of Fox Chase and Cedar roads after Anwar attempted to swerve. He then fled from the wreckage on foot, and ran toward Rockledge. Carter then climbed the fence to the Montefiore Cemetery. He was captured near the corner of Shelmire Street and Rolling Hill Road, according to the affidavit.

The driver of the other vehicle was taken to Abington Memorial Hospital, treated for injuries and released.

According to police, an employee at Hopkins Ford said the box on the window of the Mariner, which held the key, had been removed; the window clip of the box had been cut.

Last August, Carter pled guilty to all charges against him on the day he was set to begin his jury trial, Walko said. Carter entered his open pleas to the following:

• Theft by Unlawful Taking – felony of the third degree
• Receiving Stolen Property – felony of the third degree
• Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer – felony of the third degree
• Accidents involving Personal Injury – misdemeanor of the first degree
• Two counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person – a misdemeanor of the second degree
• Unauthorized Use of an Automobile – misdemeanor of the second degree
• Simple Assault – misdemeanor of the second degree
• Accidents Involving Damage to an Attended Vehicle – misdemeanor of the third degree

Carter was also ordered to pay  $29,300 in restitution for the vehicles he damaged. 

“Essentially, he stole the car and led Officer Bryan Rickards on a high speed chase through the back roads of Abington,” Walko said. “Overall, this is another example of the excellence of the Abington Police Patrol Officers.  Anwar Carter was only brought to justice through Officer Rickard’s vehicle and K9 pursuits, and Officers Martinez and Wittmer’s pursuit and capture in the nearby cemetery.  Without their coordinated quick response and outstanding communication, Carter would have successfully fled from his theft and the accident.  Now, this career car thief will remain off the streets for a long time.”