Wawa Theft Leads To Foot Chase In Falls Township: Police

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —A Philadelphia man has been charged with retail theft after snatching items from a Wawa and then leading police on a foot chase before being caught, court records state.

Around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, Falls Township police were called to the Wawa on West Trenton Avenue in the township's Morrisville section for a report of cigarettes being stolen, a criminal complaint states.

A police officer reviewed video surveillance of the suspect putting cigarettes into a white bag and then leaving the store without paying, police said.

The store manager told the officer the theft "shocked her and made her worried," the affidavit states. The store manager told police that the suspect went behind the counter to take the cigarettes off the shelf.

Falls Township police issued a flash over police radio with information on the theft and the suspect.

According to the affidavit, a Morrisville police officer spotted the suspect in the area of Maple and Lafayette avenues.

The suspect began to run from police through several backyards, jumping numerous fences in the areas of West Trenton Avenue, Lafayette Avenue, and Maple Avenue.

Several police officers attempted to apprehend the suspect before he was captured and resisted arrest, failing to comply with verbal commands by police before being taken into custody.

Police found in the white bag the suspect was carrying 10 packs of Newport's, 17 packs of Reese's cups, 1 bag of Swedish candy fish, and a bag of Starkist Tuna fish. The merchandise was valued at $160.

The store manager positively identified the man as the one who had taken the cigarettes and also identified the other said items found in the bag to be from her Wawa, court records state.

The 31-year-old Philadelphia man is being charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, evading arrest or detention while on foot, and disorderly conduct, police said.