Delco Marshalls robbery suspects Tase security guard

UPPER DARBY - December 27, 2011 (WPVI) -- Police are searching for two men who targeted a Marshalls store on Christmas Eve.

The Marshalls on 69th Street in Upper Darby will close its doors next month, replaced by another retailer. So this past Christmas Eve was its last and it was a busy place.

Local police say two men seen in surveillance video were doing some shopping of their own in the active wear department around 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon, but had no intention of paying for the merchandise.

Video shows the two picked up items and then dropped them into a bag.

"These are not some poor construction guys trying to feed his family or trying to get clothing for his family; these are two bums who are out there and don't care," Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said.

The bag was so heavy with stolen goods that one of the suspect was practically dragging it.

Then the crime of retail theft went a step further when the two were confronted by a plainclothes security guard.

"As he tries to stop the males, one guy kind of blocks him and the other guy shoots him with a Taser in the stomach, knocks him back into the door," Chitwood said.

The suspects, both described as black males, about 6' tall, and around 230 pounds, made off with hundreds of dollars in apparel.

The 58-year-old security guard refused treatment, but the Taser left distinctive red welts on his abdomen.

Chitwood says thankfully the men didn't use a gun or a knife.

"It shows how dangerous these jobs are for these people that work loss prevention," Chitwood said.

Chitwood says once the bandits Tasered the guard, the case went from shoplifting to felony robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Upper Darby detectives at 610-734-7677.

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pennsylvania, upper darby, delaware county, shopping, robbery, taser, crime

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