Criminals Treated As 'Victims' By Politicians, DAs: Delco Police Chief

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — Marple Township's top cop took politicians and district attorneys to task in a new announcement about a theft trend in the township.

Marple Police issued a community announcement Friday regarding a theft trend they identified in August, September, and October.

The announcement documents 16 separate incidents leading to arrests in the township that occurred in last month.

In those 16 incidents, 17 people charged are from Philadelphia, police said.

And in the announcement, Chief Brandon Graeff called out policymakers and prosecutors.

"As politicians and DAs in places like Philadelphia continue to treat criminals as victims, businesses as the problem, and productive citizens as an ATM, crime, especially retail theft and theft-related offenses, continues to skyrocket," he said in the announcement. "As those businesses lock down their wares or close entirely, brazen and emboldened criminals bring their act to the suburbs."

Despite that, Graeff said he still believes in the rule of law and order.

"And I know you do too," he said. "So please know this: The relationship between MTPD and our retail partners, both big and small, is strong and together we aggressively identify and arrest thieves, no matter the amount. Our officers and detectives never let up and I am extremely proud of the work they do every day."

In September, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer participated in National Store Walk Month, an initiative of the National District Attorneys Association and the Retail Leaders Association to promote collaboration between retailers and prosecutors in the fight against organized retail crime and habitual theft.

"I also believe that even low-level retail thieves must be held accountable for their actions," Stollsteimer said.

He touted the Delaware County Misdemeanor Diversion program (DCMD), which is offered to first time adult offenders or adult offenders with a very minimal criminal history and includes individuals charged with retail theft.

The DA's office said those who participate in the program have a 6 percent recidivism rate.

"We take seriously our obligation to retailers and their customers, as well as our obligation
to the entire community to ensure that they feel safe and secure in their everyday lives," Stollsteimer said in September. No single approach is appropriate – but my team works every day to use all the tools available to us to find the right balance in each case."

The Delaware County Council did not provide a comment or response.

"The Police Chief’s statement references Philadelphia politicians, not Delaware County," a county representative told Patch.

Patch has reached out to Philadelphia officials for comment on the statement and will update the story with responses.

Below are details on the October arrests provided by police:

• On Oct. 5, Detective deSimone charged Ryan Meyer, of Philadelphia, with retail theft and receiving stolen property, after Meyer committed a theft at Burlington Coat Factory, located at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064.
• On Oct. 8, Detective Lazzari charged Sahdira Johnson, of Philadelphia, with retail theft, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy, after Johnson and four other unidentified subjects committed multiple thefts during the month of August. Johnson was identified as a co-conspirator in a $1,326 theft at Carters, and a $899.40 theft at Old Navy, both stores located
• at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064.
• On Oct. 10, Detective Ronsvalle charged Natee Armstead-Wells and Montana Barnes, both of Philadelphia, with retail theft and receiving stolen property, after the two committed a $1,319 theft from TJ Maxx, located at 1991 S. Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008 in September.
• On Oct. 11, Detective deSimone charged Donte Reynolds and Marcus Washington, both of Philadelphia, with retail theft, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy, after the pair committed a $5,800 theft from TMobile, located at 1991 S. Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008, in August.
• On Oct. 12, Detective deSimone charged Luis Rivera, of Philadelphia, with retail theft and receiving stolen property after Rivera was identified as the suspect in a $169 theft from Home Goods, located at 1991 S. Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008, in September.
• On Oct. 14, Officer Smith arrested Rayshawn Cherry, of Philadelphia, with retail theft and narcotics violations after Cherry was identified as the suspect in a $110 theft from Walmart, located at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064. Cherry was arraigned and bail was set at 10% of $50,000. Cherry was unable to post bail and was remanded to Delaware County Prison.
• On Oct. 17, Officer Lambritsios charged Brandon Deluca, of Aston, with theft of services and false identification, after Deluca was identified as the suspect in a $59 theft from
• Hair Cuttery, located at 1991 S. Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008, in August.
• On Oct. 17, Detective Ronsvalle charged Danielle Smith-Berry, of Philadelphia, retail theft, receiving stolen property, and possessing instruments of crime, after Smith-Berry committed a $127 theft from Burlington Coat Factory, located at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064.
• On Oct. 18, Officer Sexton charged Randall Podosek, of Philadelphia, with retail theft and resisting arrest, after Podosek committed a $399 theft from Burlington Coat Factory, located at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064.
• On Oct. 19, Detective Ronsvalle charged Lateefah Brown, of Philadelphia, with retail theft, receiving stolen property, trespassing, and resisting arrest, after Brown committed a $150 theft from Burlington Coat Factory, located at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064. BROWN was arraigned and bail was set at $5,000. Brown was unable to post bail and was remanded to Delaware County Prison.
• On Oct. 19, Detective Lazzari charged Naasir Davis, of Philadelphia, with forgery, theft, and receiving stolen property after DAVIS was identified as the suspect in a $367 theft from Saladworks, located at 1991 S. Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008, in September.
• On Oct. 21, Officer Dempsey charged Demil Allen-Coley and Darryl Foreman, both of Philadelphia, with retail theft and conspiracy, after the pair committed a $2,039.39 theft from Burlington Coat Factory, located at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064, in October.
• On Oct. 21, Officer Dempsey charged Hugo Cordovillo-Gallegos, Angie Vera-Mery, and Niurkajavielis Loreto-Natera, all from Ecuador, with retail theft, conspiracy, corruption of minors, and false identification, after the trio committed a $703 theft from Walmart, located at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064, in October. Investigation revealed the trio had previously been deported multiple times. Each defendant was arraigned and bail was set at 10% of $20,000 for each. None of the defendants were able to post bail, so each were remanded to Delaware County Prison.
• On Oct. 24, Detective Ronsvalle charged Latasha Grimes, Tasha Waters, and Lateefah Starkey, all from Philadelphia, with retail theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy, after the trio committed a $625 theft from Home Goods, located at 1991 S. Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008, in September.
• On Oct. 25, Officer Dempsey charged Teresa McQuain, of Philadelphia, with retail theft after McQuain was identified as the suspect in a $328 theft from Walmart, located at 400 S. State Road, Springfield, PA 19064.
• On Oct. 25, Detective Lazzari charged Ryan Haines, of Clifton Heights, with retail theft after Haines was identified as the suspect in a $1,864 theft from Home Depot, located at 700 Reed Road, Broomall, PA 19008.