Cashier, Customer in Cahoots for Theft, Police Say

A Bala Cynwyd cashier and customer are both charged with the attempted retail theft of more than $1,500 in merchandise, according to Lower Merion police.

About 6:40 p.m. May 30, Drexel Hill resident Ashley Jones, 23, took merchandise to the checkout counter manned by cashier Brandon Blackson, 19, of Philadelphia, police said. Blackson placed the items in a bag without scanning them, filled another bag with cologne and gave both bags to Jones, police said.

Store security personnel stopped Jones at the door, and both Jones and Blackson were arrested; the total cost of the items was $1,559.95. Both of them are scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Thursday in , each with bail set at $2,500 unsecured.

Police on Monday also reported to media two Bala Cynwyd thefts from the past week:

• Someone from the Plaza One office complex in Bala Cynwyd reported on May 30 a Kindle had been stolen from an office there overnight from May 17 to May 18, police said. The victim had believed someone would return it, and when it was not returned reported it to police. The Kindle was valued at $80, police said.
• Three men’s bikes were reported stolen from the unit block of Bala Avenue on June 1, police said. The homeowner went to the garage to retrieve an item and noticed the garage was unlocked and that the three bikes were missing from the garage, police said. Missing were: a black Jamis X24 men’s bike, valued at $300; a red Cannondale men’s bike, valued at $800; and a yellow Pinarello men’s bike, valued at $3,000, police said. There was no sign of force, police said.