Bucks Co. Road Rage Suspect Connected To Philly Armed Robbery: DA

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Authorities have filed additional charges against a Levittown man accused in a road rage incident that led to his shooting by a Bensalem Township police officer.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office said Thursday that the new felony charges against John Thomas Mathis, 44, of Levittown, is in connection with an armed robbery at a Philadelphia cell phone store and a subsequent armed confrontation in Bensalem Township.

Both incidents occurred on Aug. 2, authorities said.

After the second incident, Mathis was shot in an officer-involved shooting in Bensalem. He was treated for his injuries and has since been released from the hospital. The investigation into the shooting remains active.

On Wednesday, county detectives filed one count each of robbery and theft by unlawful taking, two counts each of prohibited possession of a firearm, firearms not to be carried without a license, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats, possession of a weapon, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, and three counts of recklessly endangering another person.

He was also charged with evading arrest or detention on foot, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Mathis, who is currently in Bucks County Correctional Facility, will be arraigned on Friday.

At 4:54 p.m. on Aug. 2, Mathis entered a Metro by T-Mobile cellular phone store at 7221 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, displayed a black semi-automatic handgun, and demanded currency from employees.

An estimated $1,000 was stolen from the cash register before Mathis fled the scene on a black Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle, authorities said. He fled northbound into Bucks County.

Less than an hour later, a driver called 911 to report a man on a motorcycle, later identified as Mathis, was brandishing a firearm at them on northbound Bristol Pike in Bensalem Township. The victim told police that the motorcyclist pointed a handgun at their face and threatened to shoot and rob them before they drove away and called for help.

A Bensalem Township police officer arrived and positioned his patrol vehicle between the victim's car and Mathis' motorcycle.

The officer saw Mathis flee on foot, holding a firearm in his right hand. The officer discharged his weapon after Mathis failed to comply with commands to stop and show his hands.

Following the shooting, a black 9mm pistol was recovered at the scene. It was later determined it was not registered to him. Mathis is prohibited from legally possessing firearms due to a history of felony convictions.

At the time of the violent incidents on Aug. 2, Mathis was already facing several charges in Bucks County, including a separate road rage incident on July 27.

Last week, Mathis was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility on his other court matters and warrants.