Whitpain Police Reports: Retail Thefts, Public Drunkenness

Recovered Stolen Vehicle - On August 9^th at 2:48 am, Whitpain Township Police received a call from Norristown Borough police regarding a truck that was reported stolen from the 1700 block of Sheffield Dr on July 28^th. The black Ford F250 Super Duty truck was recovered in the area of Dekalb Pk and East Freedley St in Norristown. Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to contact the Whitpain Township Police Department at 610-279-9033.

Hit and Run and Retail Theft - On March 28^th at 5:04 pm, police were called to for a report of a male subject who entered the store, drank a Red Bull and left the store without paying for it. When approached by a store employee, he refused to pay for the drink, began swearing at the employee and left the lot in a black Ford. Through store surveillance, the actor was identified as 49 year old John Forell, but police were unable to locate him due to outdated information on his drivers license. 

On August 4^th at 1:02 am, police responded to the for a report of an intoxicated patron trying to leave in a dark colored Ford. As police were responding, the caller reported that the male left the lot traveling south on Dekalb Pk and provided the license plate. The vehicle was registered to 49 year old John Forell.  When police arrived they were informed that an employee attempted to stop the male from leaving and as he did so was struck by the front bumper of the Ford, causing the employee to fall onto the hood of the car. The Ford also struck another vehicle that was parked in the lot and then drove south on Dekalb Pk with the employee still hanging onto the hood of the car. The driver pulled into the parking lot of Blue Bell Motor Cars on Swede Rd and the employee was able to get off the hood. A witness that followed Mr. Forell tried to block the driveway so he could not drive away, but Forell struck the witness’ car and drove off.  The employee was checked by Second Alarmers Ambulance. 

A warrant was issued for John Forell for Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Reckless Driving and multiple other charges for leaving the scene of an accident. Police received information that Forell was living in the unit block of Plymwood Dr in Plymouth Township. John Forell turned himself in on this warrant and was arraigned by District Justice Robert Sobeck and bail was set at $10,000/unsecured on the Whitpain Tavern incident. Forell pled guilty to Retail Theft and Disorderly Conduct for the theft at Giant.

Retail Theft - On August 11^th at 4:25 pm, police were called to for a Retail Theft in progress. Employees reported that they observed a black male subject pick up four pairs of sneakers, cut the security tags from the items, and put them in a bag. As the actor, later identified as Daniel David, 30 yrs old of the 700 block of Astor St in Norristown, left the store, the Loss Prevention officer attempted to stop him. Mr. David pushed the employee and fled on foot, but was taken into custody a short time later by police. Four pairs of sneakers valued at $305.00 and a pair of pliers were recovered from his bag. He was arrested for Retail Theft, Possessing an Instrument of Crime and Harassment. He was arraigned before District Justice Kropp and bail was set at $10,000/unsecured.

Public Drunkenness - On August 9^th at 1:51 am police were called to the area of Dekalb Pk and Blue bell Springs for a report of a woman laying along the side of Dekalb Pk at Blue Bell Springs Dr. Officers located Jennifer Cassidy, 27 yrs old of the unit block of Nyack Ave in Lansdowne, lying on the curb. She was obviously intoxicated and was placed under arrest for Public Drunkenness and later released to a friend.