Would-Be Watch Thief Escapes at Marlton Crossing, Police Say

A man who attempted to steal more than $25,000 in high-end watches from a store at the Marlton Crossing shopping center Sunday was stopped by an airman, but got away before police could catch him, Evesham Township Police said.

The alleged thief-turned-robber, described as a light-skinned black man in his late 20s with light facial hair, tossed a landscaping rock through a jewelry case at T.J. Maxx around 7:20 p.m., police said, and scooped $25,797 worth of watches into a bag.

Police say the man, who came in wearing a ski mask, specifically targeted the high-end case as soon as he walked into the store.

An active-duty member of the Air Force, who happened to be in the store at the time, tackled the would-be thief, police said, forcing the man to drop both the bag of watches and his mask, and exposing an orange-colored shirt he had on underneath a dark jacket.

The thief took off running from the store, and escaped before officers could arrest him, police said.

Anyone with information about the suspect or who might have seen him running from the scene is asked to contact the Evesham Police Department by phone at 856-983-1116, at the Confidential Tip Line at 856-983-4699, by email Facebook@Eveshampd.org or by anonymously texting a tip and ETPDTIP to 847411.