The Hillcrest Shopping Center.
A local man is facing felony retail theft charges after he allegedly stole items from a pair of businesses in the Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lansdale Borough.
Police were dispatched to the 600 block of East Main Street at 7:11 p.m. on April 27 for a report of a retail theft in progress from the Fine Wine and Good Spirits store. Dispatch informed police that the suspect was wearing a maroon sweatshirt and had allegedly stolen a pint of Fireball whiskey.
Upon arrival, police located the suspect — identified as 46-year-old Lionel Solomon — inside of the Big Lots store in the same shopping center. Police said Solomon was speaking about the antichrist and pulled a bottle of Fireball from the center pocket of his hooded sweatshirt during their encounter. Charging documents also state that Solomon stole a sweatshirt, gummy bears, canned coffee and sunglasses from Big Lots.
A witness from the Fine Wine and Good Spirits store confirmed Solomon was the one who stole the whiskey, adding that when confronted, Solomon allegedly said “F—k you. I don’t have to pay. Call the cops.” Total value of all stolen items was $35.15, police said.
Due to two prior retail theft convictions, charges against Solomon were upgraded to felony level, according to court documents.
Solomon was arraigned on April 28, at which point bail was set at $5,000 cash. County Pre-Trial Services reduced bail to $5,000 unsecured the following day, and Solomen was released from custody.
A date for his preliminary hearing has not yet been set.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Hatfield Man Stole Sex Toys from Adult World Before Fleeing to Nearby Hotel, Police Say
Local Man Accused of Stealing More Than $800 in Items from Rite Aid
Scallop Thief Arrested at Wegmans, Charged with Felony Retail Theft: Police
Man Accused Of Stealing Excavator From Work Site In Hatfield
