Accused Thief Leads Police On Chase Through Willow Grove Mall

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — A man led police on a foot chase through the Willow Grove Mall and out into the streets before being captured on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

Abington Police responded at 4 p.m. Saturday to a retail theft in the Macy's at the Willow Grove Mall in which a man had swiped nearly $2,000 of "high-end" women's clothing, Lt. Joe Blei told Patch on Tuesday.

Blei said that the man — identified as Nelson Bermejo Fumero — dropped a red bag and then took off when police arrived. Blei said he was chased by police officers throughout the mall on the first floor before running onto the second floor.

"He ran away immediately. He was running through the mall. He was moving," Blei said.

When police finally caught up with him, Fumero struggled with officers and then temporarily got away, Blei said.

Blei said that Fumero escaped from the mall and was running on some side streets before he was caught in a resident's backyard.

Blei said a police officer was injured during the pursuit Saturday and "is on the mend."

The theft amounted to 28 items worth $1,877, NBC10 Philadelphia reported.

Fumero was charged with retail theft and resisting arrest. He was arraigned on a $5,000 unsecured bail.