Palmer Park Mall security help nab wanted Bath & Body Works shoplifters
PALMER TWP., Pa. July 23 2018 – After allegedly shoplifting more than $700 worth of merchandise from a Bath and Body Works, a pair of New Yorkers were arrested when they returned to the same mall two days later.
Palmer Township police on Wednesday arrested Sydonnie Symone Simmonds, of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., and Paul Blythe, of Bronx, N.Y., after they allegedly swiped an array of body lotions and shower gels from the Palmer Park Mall.
District Judge Nicholas Englesson arraigned the pair late Wednesday night on conspiracy and shoplifting charges, setting bail for each at $20,000.
Township police were dispatched to the Bath and Body Works Monday afternoon to investigate a fragrant theft. Staff told police they discovered $746 in merchandise missing from the store. Among the pilfered items were 39 fine fragrant mists totaling $565.50; five shower gels totaling $62.50; six body creams worth $81; and three body lotions totaling $37.50.
Store surveillance video reportedly show a man and woman each wearing a hat and glasses and carrying shoulder bags. They were spotted moving among display tables and shelves, dropping merchandise into their bags, according to court records.
On Wednesday afternoon, a mall security officer recognized the man from the Bath and Body Works surveillance photos sitting on a bench. Township police apprehended the man later identified as the 33-year-old Blythe. The woman seen in surveillance photos, later identified as Simmonds, had run from the mall but was apprehended on Park Avenue, according to records.
Police said Simmonds, 37, was carrying a black shoulder bag that matched the one seen in surveillance video. Authorities allegedly also found a metal device in her purse used to deactivate merchandise security tags. Blythe, meanwhile, was carrying the same blue and white bag in the video and wearing the same glasses and baseball cap, according to police.
Simmonds was released from Northampton County Prison on Friday after posting bail. Blythe wasn’t so lucky. He remains in county jail ahead of an Aug. 1 preliminary hearing. Simmonds is also scheduled for an Aug. 1 preliminary hearing.
