Shoplifters Hurt Officer In Attempted Getaway In Gloucester Twp.: Police

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A group of "serial shoplifters" hurt an officer and sideswiped a police vehicle during their attempted getaway Sunday from Gloucester Premium Outlets, authorities said.

The trio is suspected of retail thefts throughout South Jersey, police said. Surveillance determined that they stole merchandise Sunday from two of the mall's stores, according to law enforcement.

A Gloucester Township officer stopped the suspects as they returned to their vehicle. As the officer detained a member of the group, the other two entered the car and began to drive off, police said.

One of the vehicle doors struck the officer, according to Gloucester Township police. He was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and has been released.

During the attempted escape, the suspect car sped out and sideswiped a responding police vehicle, authorities said. Officers stopped the vehicle on Robert E. Kelly Boulevard and arrested both men without further incident.

The suspects, all Pennsylvania residents, were charged with the following:

• Jamir Richards, 30, of Philadelphia: aggravated assault (two counts), eluding, shoplifting, hindering apprehension, and being a fugitive from justice.
• Antonio Erwin, 21, of Philadelphia: shoplifting and obstruction.
• Amanda Palmer, 26, of Sharon Hill: conspiracy.

Richards was placed in the Camden County Correctional Facility. Erwin and Palmer were each released on a summons.

Before the arrests, a detail of officers was assigned to the mall because of the group, which was wanted for retail thefts throughout South Jersey. Police saw their vehicle arriving on Sunday and waited for their return.

"I am very proud of the hard work and investigative efforts of our officers, and loss prevention specialists, which brought this crew's criminal activities to an end," said Police Chief David Harkins." As a result of the quick actions by our officers, no one else was hurt."