Shante Harrison, 27, (left) Phinorce Howard, 30, (center) and Shahadah Jackson, 27, (right).
A trio of females from Philadelphia were arrested late last month after they ran out of the Montgomeryville JCPenney with nearly $3,400 of merchandise in their arms.
According to the criminal complaint, Montgomery Township Police were monitoring traffic near the intersection of Bethlehem Pike and Upper State Road on May 27 at 3:33 p.m., when they were flagged down by a passing motorist who stated that they had seen three females leave JCPenney with a large amount of merchandise that they did not pay for. The motorist also gave police a description of the vehicle, described as a green Pontiac Grand Am, the report states.
Police encountered the Grand Am near the intersection of Bethlehem Pike and Knapp Road a short time later, and initiated a traffic stop due to an inoperable center brake light, the report states. The driver—identified as 27-year-old Shante Harrison—and the two occupants—identified as 27-year-old Shahadah Jackson and 30-year-old Phinorce Howard—reportedly confessed to stealing the merchandise prior to the traffic stop, the report states.
Upon review of the store’s surveillance footage, police learned that Jackson and Howard entered the store empty handed at 2:20 p.m., and were later seen allegedly placing large amounts of Nike apparel and bedding merchandise into bags in the women’s shoe department, the report states. The complaint states that the suspects had so much merchandise, they were struggling to carry it.
The two suspects then ran out the door and jumped into the Grand Am, which was waiting in the fire lane, the report states. The vehicle then took off at a high rate of speed, fleeing before the passenger doors were able to close, according to the complaint.
The total value of the stolen merchandise was $3,386, according to the complaint.
As a result of the incident, Harrison, Howard and Jackson have been charged with felony counts of retail theft and receiving stolen property. Court records do not specify the date of their arraignment or bail information, but all three have a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy.
(Editor's note: All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. Should the defendant choose to issue a public statement, or is later found not guilty or has the charges dropped, we will update this article accordingly.)
See also:
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Hatfield Man Charged With Discharging Firearm, Striking Neighboring Homes
Workers Comp Fraud Charges Levied Against Former Lansdale Man By Attorney General’s Office
