What he didn't know was that Seiple was already cooperating with county detectives.
And after Seiple allegedly made a $1,000 down payment to Holden shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, Holden was arrested on charges that included extortion and bribery.
"We're not making any statements at this time," said Caren Andrews, the Yeadon borough manager.
The affidavit of probable cause gives the following account:
Holden's vehicle was towed about four months ago, and remains impounded. Last month, Catherine Seiple, the tow company owner's wife, received a request from the borough to provide documents about the company's services. She learned that the towing contract would be the subject of a July 19 special meeting.
At the meeting, Holden said he had been "receiving complaints" about the service.
At Holden's behest, Thomas Seiple met privately with him and asked what it would take "to make this problem go away," adding that Holden could have the car back. "It's not about the car," Holden reportedly responded.
Seiple said he believed that retaining the contract "required some type of illegal incentive."
The two had several conversations since Aug. 1, all "monitored" by county detectives, according to the affidavit. At a meeting Tuesday, Holden wrote the figure 7 on a piece of paper, to represent $7,000.
When the "down payment" was made the next day, Holden was taken into custody. At the time, the affidavit said, Holden was carrying a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic.
He was released on $50,000 bail on condition that he have no contact with Seiple, said Erica Parham, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office.
Contact Anthony R. Wood at 610-313-8210 or twood@phillynews.com
