Courts. (Credit: LevittownNow.com)
Police said suspects carried security tag removers and fled store without paying
Two Philadelphia residents are headed to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on charges of felony retail theft following a preliminary hearing this week, accused of attempting to steal hundreds of dollars in merchandise from a Macy’s store at Montgomery Mall in Montgomery Township before one suspect fled on foot.
Shaakiyrah Naimah Bey, aka Shaakera Bey, 34, of the 1800 block of South 23rd Street, and Joseph Julius Knight, 36, of the 2600 block of Watkins Street, were each charged following an incident reported around 12:50 p.m. Dec. 10, 2025 at the Macy’s located at 804 Bethlehem Pike, police said.
At their preliminary hearings, Knight had a misdemeanor charge of drug possession withdrawn, but the theft charge and a misdemeanor possessing an instrument of crime moved on to court. Bey had a misdemeanor possessing an instrument of crime charge withdrawn, but the remaining felony and misdemeanor evading arrest charge were moved on to court, per court records.
According to the affidavits of probable cause, Macy’s asset protection personnel reported the pair concealing merchandise and passing all points of sale without paying.
Police alleged Bey selected about $435 worth of merchandise, while Knight allegedly selected about $600 worth. When store staff attempted to stop them, both suspects initially refused to remain at the store.
Police said officers located the pair entering a vehicle in the mall parking lot and attempted a traffic stop. Knight complied with police commands, but Bey allegedly fled on foot toward the Wegmans area before being taken into custody following a brief pursuit.
Investigators said searches incident to arrest revealed multiple magnetic security tag removers and related tools. Police also alleged Knight was found in possession of buprenorphine/naloxone, resulting in an additional drug charge.
Macy’s indicated it intended to prosecute, police said, and video and photographic evidence was provided to investigators.
Knight is free on 10% of $5,077 cash bail, or $507.70, per court records. Bey is free on 10% of $5,000 cash bail, according to court records. Both will be arraigned in county court March 18. Knight is represented by public defender Jasmine Andreza Leal-Taylor, and Bey is represented by Jenkintown court-appointed public defender Luther E. Weaver III, per court records.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
