Dealer Accused of Driving Away During Repo with Recovery Agent Beneath Vehicle

Police claim dealership owner drove off during an active repossession, damaging recovery equipment, injuring a recovery agent, and triggering felony criminal mischief charges.

Hatfield Township, PA – July 29, 2026 – A Pennsylvania automobile dealer is facing felony charges after police allege he drove away in a vehicle that was actively being repossessed while a recovery agent was beneath the vehicle connecting recovery equipment.

Ryan C. Kelly, 39, owner of Kelly Motorcars in Hatfield Township, has been charged with felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person following the July 16, 2026 incident.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Hatfield Township Police, recovery agents from Top Notch Recovery arrived at the dealership shortly after noon with a lawful repossession order for a black 2021 Audi A8. After confirming the vehicle identification number, the recovery team began preparing the vehicle for removal using a flatbed recovery truck.

Police allege one recovery agent was underneath the Audi attaching a winch cable and bridle while another stood near the recovery truck monitoring the operation.

Investigators say Kelly then exited the dealership, approached the Audi, reportedly stated, “Sorry I have to do this,” entered the vehicle, and drove away while the recovery equipment remained attached and one of the recovery agents was still beneath the vehicle.

According to police, the recovery agent attempted to secure the winch cable at the recovery truck to prevent the Audi from leaving but was unable to do so before the vehicle accelerated from the lot. Officers later observed a fresh cut and blood on one recovery agent’s finger following the incident.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video that allegedly showed the Audi leaving the property with a severed winch cable dragging behind it while the attached bridle repeatedly struck the roadway.

One of the recovery agents reportedly identified Kelly as the dealership owner after previously locating his social media profile during pre-assignment skip-tracing efforts. Police noted that researching a debtor’s residence or workplace through publicly available information is a common investigative practice used by recovery agents attempting to locate collateral.

Kelly later contacted police and reportedly told investigators he believed someone was attempting to steal the vehicle when he drove away.

Top Notch Recovery later submitted a repair estimate totaling $5,237.58 for damage to its recovery equipment. According to police, the repair amount elevated the criminal mischief charge to a third-degree felony.

Court records indicate Kelly was released after posting $577 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12 before Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine.

The criminal complaint also notes Kelly has recent prior criminal matters. Court records show he was sentenced in June 2026 to one year of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor theft offense. Earlier proceedings involving allegations of fraudulent vehicle titles and other dealership-related offenses resulted in the revocation of an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, followed by a 2026 conviction for misdemeanor fraudulent use of a vehicle title.

The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are accusations only. Kelly is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Dealer Accused of Driving Away During Repo with Recovery Agent Beneath Vehicle – Dealer Accused of Driving Away During Repo with Recovery Agent Beneath Vehicle – Dealer Accused of Driving Away During Repo with Recovery Agent Beneath Vehicle

Source: Northpennnow.com