Crime & Safety

Man Robbed Delco Supermarket, Left His ID At Wawa He Stole From: Police

Hours before the robbery, the suspect forgot his wallet at the scene of a different retail crime, authorities said.

(Upper Chichester Police)

UPPER CHICHESTER, PA — A man accused of robbing a Delaware County supermarket on Saturday was arrested after police they found his ID at the scene of a different retail crime.

Phillip Harris, 63, of Wilmington, Delaware, stole cigarettes that afternoon from a Wawa store in Lower Chichester, where he left his wallet, authorities said.

Harris then robbed the ACME supermarket on Conchester Pike in Upper Chichester around 10:15 p.m. that night, police said.

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The suspect approached an employee working in the self-checkout area and asked for help making change. When the worker opened the register, Harris claimed he had a gun and demanded money, according to Upper Chichester Police.

Harris stole cash from the register and fled the store, authorities said. No injuries were reported.

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Meanwhile, Lower Chichester Police were investigating the Wawa theft reported 10 hours earlier.

The suspect — later identified as Harris — approached the cashier with two cartons of cigarettes. He then put his wallet on the counter and grabbed a plastic bag with the cigarettes that was behind the counter, police said.

An employee tried to stop Harris, who pulled away and dropped the cartons on the ground. Harris grabbed the cigarettes and fled the store, police said.

Officers found Harris's ID inside his wallet at the scene, according to Lower Chichester Police.

Police from Lower and Upper Chichester identified Harris as the suspect behind both incidents and issued arrest warrants.

On Sunday morning, his Acura was seen traveling through the area. Multiple local police department helped State Police pursue the vehicle and arrest him.

Harris was charged with multiple counts of robbery and related offenses. He remains jailed at Delaware County Prison after failing to post bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 21.

Harris doesn't have a listed attorney for Patch to contact for comment at this time.

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