Man Stole $290K From Montco, Philly Businesses In 24 Incidents: DA

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A man connected to two dozen robberies from businesses in Montgomery County and Philadelphia has been charged, said officials.

Jamal Reid of Philadelphia is accused of being involved in robberies or burglaries at 24 businesses, which caused a total of $290,761 in damages and property loss according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele.

Reid faces multiple felony counts of robbery, burglary, conspiracy, and theft by unlawful taking; he also faces misdemeanor charges including theft of a motor vehicle, Steele said. Magisterial District Judge Paul N. Leo set Reid's bail at $10,077 cash at his June 3 arraignment, the DA added.

The affected businesses included gas stations, restaurants, banks, car dealerships and a Family Dollar store in several Montgomery County communities, Bucks County, and Philadelphia, Steele said. The burglaries and robberies happened between May 2021 and March 2022 at businesses in Abington, Bensalem, Cheltenham, Rockledge, Upper Moreland and Philadelphia, Steele added.

A task force made up of investigators from multiple jurisdictions found that the burglaries and robberies "had a common scheme," said Steele.

The task force connected the crimes to Reid using DNA and fingerprint evidence, as well as cell phone images and data that showed his phone at the targeted businesses. Video surveillance also connected him to the crimes, Reid said.

"The burglaries generally targeted commercial establishments with skill machines in the overnight hours," Steele said. "Once inside, the burglars tried to open cash registers, break into skill or gaming machines, and open safes. In two incidents, the burglars stole two vehicles, key fobs and other items at a car dealership."

Among the items perpetrators took were cash, including a safe containing $16,000; a BMW, a Mercedes, and more than 50 vehicle keys; a laptop; an ATM; cash registers; skill machines; and items including cigarettes, cigars, CBD products and lottery tickets, Steele said.

According to Steele, the crime locations included: three separate burglaries at Seldon Motors, a Shell gas station and Seven Plu (Upper Moreland Township); a Dunkin’ Donuts, Chick-fil-A, Cottman Mart, H-Mart and Santander Bank (Cheltenham Township); a Family Dollar Store (Abington Township); and an A-Plus (Rockledge Township).

There were also several robberies at gas stations in Philadelphia. Steele said that on one occasion, a burglar brandished a gun and forced an employee into a bathroom.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 21.