Harley-Davidson Inc. apparently keeps a very close eye on its motorcycle parts and other products.

So when assorted electrical items and accessories started appearing for sale on eBay, the online auction site, somebody at Harley-Davidson's headquarters in Milwaukee took notice.

Corporate security officers looked a little more closely at the for-sale items, following a trail that police said led them to a Lancaster County man — a man who allegedly made $78,000 from the stolen-part scam.

After months of investigation, police recently charged Scott Edward Costrello, 48, of Millersville, with receiving stolen property and theft by deception.

He is not charged with stealing the items, and police said that facet of the investigation is continuing.

According to Manor Township Police Detective Michael Phenneger, when Harley-Davidson security personnel looked at the parts that were being sold online, they discovered:

All of the serial numbers on the parts could be traced back to one of Harley-Davidson's York County facilities.

And, that same facility "discovered there happened to be a huge shortage of these parts" from May through July 2007, police said.

When undercover investigators bought the parts, police said, they discovered that the person selling, Costrello, happened to be a former employee of the York plant.

Costrello, of 547 Stehman Church Road, made about $78,000 by selling the stolen "top-of-the-line Harley-Davidson motorcycle" parts, Phenneger said, including navigational kits, radios and other small items.

When police went to Costrello's property in July, which includes his motorcycle repair business, Faat 1 Customs, to serve a search warrant, Phenneger said, they also found a loaded shotgun.

Because Costrello has a felony conviction, police said, he is not allowed to own firearms and was charged with the weapons violation.

In addition to the gun, Phenneger said, investigators found a few of the stolen motorcycle parts.

Phenneger credited Harley-Davidson corporate security personnel for uncovering the scam.

In addition, they were assisted by investigators from Springettsbury Township and Northeastern Regional police departments, both in York County, as well as members of the York County District Attorney's office.

Costrello was arraigned before District Judge Leo Eckert and released on unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing.

CONTACT US: jkelley@LNPnews.com or 481-6026