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A North Philly man allegedly threatened a Rite Aid employee with a box cutter after he was confronted for stole from the Passyunk Square store Sunday.
Wendell Morris also known as Whitney Morris, 39, of the 1600 block of North Franklin Street in North Philly is believed to have tried to leave the store without paying for merchandise that store security saw him place in his pocketbook at 6:47 p.m., Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said.
When approached, Morris allegedly whipped out a box cutter with a 4-inch blade from his bag and threatened to cut the employee if he did not return the bag, Tolliver said.
The man fled the store and security chased him to the 1800 block of South Camac Street where Morris allegedly hid under a parked car until police arrived and arrested him, Tolliver said. Morris was charged with retail theft, theft — unlawful taking, aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of a crime.
The box cutter was recovered outside the store where Morris is believed to have dropped it, Tolliver said. The merchandise totaling $50.71 was recovered. Morris was transported to Methodist Hospital after his arrest when he told police he was having a panic attack.
Morris served less than two years in jail after pleding guilty for a 2002 robbery, according to court records.
Contact Staff Writer Amanda Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
