Cops: Bristol Man Breaks into Amtrak Worksite, Steals Skid Steer that Has Tracking Device

File this one under you something you  don’t see everyday, Amtrak Police took into custody Patrick R. Bregenzer, 48, of Bristol for breaking into a company workstation on Bath Street in the borough and a number of items, which unbeknownst to him, a skid he a1llegedly stole had an tracking device embedded in it

According to the probable cause, Amtrak investigators were assigned to a burglary, theft, and criminal mischief that occurred on January 8, 2025, at the Amtrak work site located on Bath Street, in Bristol.

On January 8, 2025, at approximately 7:02 a.m., Amtrak Police were notified of a burglary at the work location. The reporting party, an Amtrak employee, reported several items stolen, including a skid steer, various tools, and an Amtrak-issued Apple iPad. The work site is enclosed by a secured fence. It was reported that the offender(s) gained access by breaking through the gate, prying the bars apart. The stolen items were removed from the office area, which had its lock broken off. The skid steer, which had been inside the work location, was also taken, the probable cause alleges.

The Amtrak employee further informed law enforcement that the skid steer was equipped with an active tracking device with the stolen skid steer discovered on the 700 block of Pine Street, in Bristol. Based on this information, Amtrak investigators visited the home where the tracking device said it was located. Upon arrival, Amtrak Police observed the skid steer located at the rear of the residence, concealed under tarps and a trash bag. Tire tracks in the yard indicated that the skid steer had recently been moved. The Amtrak employee confirmed that the skid steer belonged to Amtrak and further stated that the keys were left inside the equipment, police said in court paperwork.

After confirming the Amtrak property was on Pine St. Investigators drafted a search warrant for the address for the Pine Street residence, which was approved by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and signed by Honorable Judge Gallagher, according to court records.

While on location at 731 Pine Street, Amtrak Police was notified employees of the train company had located some of the stolen tools at Red Lion Gas Station, located at 455 Bristol Pike. Amtrak Police responded to the always busy refueling stop, making contact with three individuals. During the investigation, it was determined that an individual named Patrick (Possible ID) had been in possession of the stolen tools and had attempted to sell them at Red Lion Station. However, Patrick departed the location before my arrival, leaving the tools behind, police said.

A male identified by these individuals as Patrick was seen carrying stolen Amtrak equipment in CCTV footage from Red Lion Station. A second Amtrak Police officer conducted a social media search and located Bregenzer’s Meta profile. This profile contained photographs confirming his identity as the individual captured in CCTV footage, authorities said.

Photographs of the area where the burglary occurred identified a shoe print inconsistent with the standard issued workers’ boots. Officer Caban noted that a second suspect was wearing shoes matching prints found at the crime scene. Caban recorded photos of the second suspect’s footwear, which matched the prints found at the burglary site.

On January 13, 2025, officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Spruce Street in Bristol regarding potential evidence related to the Amtrak theft. The reporting party said he had discovered tools, knee pads, and an Amtrak-issued helmet, which he suspected was stolen. Reif noted that these items were found in a room he rented to an alleged (unidentified here) co-conspirator and Bregenzer. The reporting party confirmed Bregenzer and another suspect, who has an arrest warrant, were involved in hiding a stolen skid steer at his residence. This was before their eviction on January 9. The reporting party provided officers with security camera footage showing Bregenzer and the other suspect with the stolen skid steer. In addition, it provided clips of the suspects gathering materials to conceal it, according to the probable cause.

Upon reviewing the video, police observed both Bregenzer and the second alleged co-conspirator outside the rear of the residence, with the co-conspirator directing the skid steer maneuvers. The footage also captured Bregenzer and the second suspect inside the residence with Amtrak tools, which were later recovered, police allege

Additionally, the video displayed the duo taping trash bags together, which were ultimately used to cover the skid steer. Additionally, full tracking data for the skid steer revealed that it was turned on at approximately 11:54 p.m. and then turned off. It was powered on again at approximately 12:06 a.m. The skid steer left Amtrak property at 12:20 a.m. and was tracked to Reif’s residence at 600 block of Spruce Street at approximately 12:24 a.m., court papers show.

Bregenzer was preliminarily arraigned by Daniel J. Finello Jr. on May 14, remanding him to the custody of Bucks County Correctional as he could not post 10 percent of $250,000.00 bail set with a court date scheduled for June 18. The second person to be charged once arrested, remains at large.