HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced two arrests regarding a spree of organized retail thefts at stores in multiple southeastern Pennsylvania counties, where the thieves would quickly grab merchandise and leave without paying.
Jamai Richards, 21, and his father, 43-year-old Donis Richards — both of Philadelphia — were charged this week with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and other offenses related to the spree.
The Philadelphia-based 5th Street Crew allegedly targeted Nike, Lululemon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s, and Snipes stores in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in recent months. In at least one incident, at a Snipes store in January, an employee was physically assaulted.
The investigation into additional members of the group is ongoing.
”This group terrorized dozens of retailers and their employees with blitz-style thefts that put workers and customers in harm’s way,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Retail theft is not a victimless crime, as we have seen bystanders harmed and companies forced to raise prices for consumers due to profit loss.”
Philadelphia Police Department and Upper Merion Township Police Department are assisting in the investigation.
Jamai and Donis Richards were arraigned in Montgomery County and bail was set at $25,000, which was not immediately posted.
A blue Nissan Maxima was involved in many of the incidents. Anyone with information about the 5th Street Crew or similar crimes as those described is asked to email ORC@attorneygeneral.gov.
The cases will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Noelle Wilkinson of the Office of Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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