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A North Philly CVS security guard spotted an alleged burglar who threatened an employee with a syringe while trying to shoplift hair regrowth treatment at one of the store’s South Philly counterparts.
A loss prevention employee at CVS, 1001 Washington Ave., allegedly saw Anthony Watson, 34, of the 2400 block of Wharton Street, stuffing a bag with boxes of Rogaine at 1:25 p.m. Sept. 12, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. As Watson allegedly attempted to depart the store with the merchandise, the worker stopped him. However, Watson is believed to have dropped the sack, retrieved a syringe from his back pocket and intimidated the employee, who backed off for his own safety.
Watson supposedly left behind the $561 worth of hair treatment, Tolliver said.
At 11:15 a.m. Sept. 15, a 33-year-old security officer at a North Philly CVS spotted Watson, who he believed resembled the man caught on surveillance video at the store’s Bella Vista location, so he called 911, Tolliver said.
Police arrived on the scene and arrested Watson, charging him with retail theft, simple assault and possession of an instrument of crime, according to court records. His bail was set at $3,500, but it had not been posted by press time.
Watson pled guilty to one count of retail theft in 2000 in Montgomery County plus four retail thefts and a simple assault last year in Center City, according to court records.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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