A Philadelphia woman is facing a half-dozen charges after she allegedly stole more than $1,000 in merchandise from Whole Foods and then struck a police vehicle while attempting to flee the scene.
Julissa Rivera, 30, has been charged with felony retail theft, along with misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, fleeing to elude police, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles, possession of drug paraphernalia and related offenses, in connection with the Nov. 5 incident in Lower Gwynedd Township.
Rivera is currently free on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Police arrived at the 1100 block of North Bethlehem Pike at 2:04 p.m. for a report of a theft in progress. Arriving police were waved down by a loss prevention employee who was jogging towards a woman — later identified as Rivera — who was cramming store merchandise into her vehicle, according to charging documents.
Police said Rivera initially attempted to flee the scene in her vehicle, however she struck a police vehicle and a civilian vehicle before leaving the vehicle behind and attempting to flee on foot. She was ultimately chased down by police, who claimed she resisted arrest while they were attempting to place her into custody.
The total value of merchandise allegedly stolen by Rivera was $1,039.19.
Once in custody, police said they a small amount of heroin and some drug paraphernalia inside of a bag belonging to Rivera.
Court documents show Rivera was arraigned the following morning by District Judge Edward Kropp Sr.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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