Grinches Steal From Apple on Christmas: Cops

Alleged thieves break into Cherry Hill Mall, target Apple Store

A trio of, what police call, “grinches” allegedly spent their Christmas morning breaking into the Cherry Mall with visions of Apple products floating in their head.

Per the Cherry Hill Police press release:

At 04:46 hours on 12-25-11 while visions of sugar plums were dancing through most people’s heads three Grinch-like suspects arrived at the Cherry Hill Mall in a stolen sleigh (stolen car). With ski masks, gloves and dark hoodies armed with landscape rocks they busted their way into the mall and later into the Apple Store and began filling their sacks (trash bags) with stolen merchandise totaling $35,801.00.

While the burglary was in progress a security guard tipped off police, authorities said.

After officers arrived on the scene, the alleged crooks led them on a brief car chase before turning down a dead end street. The three suspects jumped out of the stolen car and ran away on foot leaving behind thousands in stolen merchandise, cops said.

One suspect was immediately arrested while another was caught soon after by a Pennsauken Police Officer, authorities said.

The captured suspects were later identified as 22-year-old Velencio Creque of the 100 block of Willingboro, N.J. and 22-year-old Travis Lawson of the unit block of Mosshill Lane in Willingboro. Both men were charged with burglary, conspiracy, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and theft eluding.

They were being held on $102,500 full cash bail.

The search continues for the third suspect after he got away, cops said.

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