Crime & Safety
Alleged Shoplifter Elbows Security Official, Police Stop Get-away Car
Man successfully fled Lower Macungie store, but was caught when he returned for the car he left in the parking lot, troopers report.
Looking to save a few bucks? Skip the expense of the action movies and video games once in a while and keep your eyes open at Walmart in Lower Macungie Township.
Those in the parking lot about 10:50 p.m. Jan. 6 certainly got their money's worth.
Trouble began when Joseph Sterling Williams, 19, of Northampton fled the 1091 Mill Creek Road store without paying for a $98 soundbar, according to state police at Fogelsville. He was stopped outside by security and taken to a store office.
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Eventually, he successfully fled the store by elbowing a security official in the stomach and running toward Lower Macungie Road, police said.
Williams might have gotten away, but he returned to get his car from the parking lot, police said. He drove away without using his headlights in order to avoid detection.
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However, police said they saw him make a wide right turn onto Krocks Road into the oncoming travel lane. Police pulled him over without further incident.
Williams was charged with retail theft-felony because he had two prior shoplifting convictions, they said. He also was charged with harassment for elbowing the 52-year-old loss prevention officer, driving without headlights to avoid identification or arrest, and driving in the wrong lane of travel.