Police think they nabbed at least two of the men behind a string of jewelry thefts from local department stores.
James McGrath, 40, and Mark Donato, 27, both of Philadelphia, were arrested and charged in connection with the theft of roughly $53,000 in jewelry from the Sear’s in Bensalem’s Neshaminy Mall last week.
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The two men were caught by police. CBS 3 reports Donato was caught after a short chase and a possible third suspect got away.
“When (police) went to stop the vehicle, the vehicle fled — there was a short vehicle pursuit.” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told NBC 10.
Here are a list of the incidents police believe the suspects were involved in:
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The first incident occurred last Tuesday around 6 p.m. at the Sears in Bensalem’s Neshaminy Mall. A suspect walked into the jewelry department and cut a cable securing a spinning displaying case full of jewelry to the main display case. The suspect then loaded the entire spinning display case into a shopping cart and walked out of the store. The suspect got in the passenger side of a red pickup truck parked outside the store and drove away. The total value of the theft is estimated to be $53,000.
Two men wearing gloves entered the Kmart store on Street Road approached the jewelry counter and cut the security cord of an earring case last Wednesday afternoon. The two suspects exited through the front door and smashed the case open. All the earrings, which were worth about $10,000, were stolen. The suspects fled east on Street Road in a red Nissan Titan pickup truck. The first three characters on the license plate were ZCP.
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Last Thursday, two suspected went to the Sears in the Oxford Valley Mall in Middletown at 2:10 p.m. and stole $48,000 worth of jewelry. The two are accused of stealing a spinning jewelry display case and fled in a red or orange pickup truck with the first two letters of ZC.
Media reports also indicate Philadelphia police believe they are connected to a theft from a Walmart.
A story on 6abc.com said a robbery is New Jersey might also be connected to the suspects.
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Charges have only been filed so far in the Bensalem case. A source says it is likely charges in connection with the other incidents will be filed at a later day.
The two suspects that have been captured are currently in Bucks County jail unable to post bail.
