HARRISBURG, PA — Two Philadelphia residents have been arrested and charged in connection with a string of organized retail thefts targeting stores across multiple southeastern Pennsylvania counties. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced this week that Jamai Richards, 21, and his father, Donis Richards, 43, face felony charges of corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and other related offenses.
According to state officials, the individuals are alleged to be part of the 5th Street Crew, a Philadelphia-based group implicated in a series of what authorities describe as “blitz-style” thefts. The alleged incidents involved high-speed robberies that targeted stores such as Nike, Lululemon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s, and Snipes. The thefts occurred at various locations in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties over recent months.
One incident, at a Snipes store in January, allegedly escalated into violence when an employee was physically assaulted.
Attorney General Sunday emphasized the broader impact of such thefts, noting, “This group terrorized dozens of retailers and their employees with blitz-style thefts that put workers and customers in harm’s way. Retail theft is not a victimless crime, as we have seen bystanders harmed and companies forced to raise prices for consumers due to profit loss.”
The Philadelphia Police Department and Upper Merion Township Police Department are among the agencies assisting with the investigation, which remains ongoing. Authorities are also working to identify additional members of the group.
Both Jamai and Donis Richards were arraigned in Montgomery County, with bail set at $25,000, which had not been posted as of the latest updates.
Officials have identified a blue Nissan Maxima as being involved in several incidents and are asking the public to provide information on the crew or similar thefts by contacting the Organized Retail Crime Unit at ORC@attorneygeneral.gov.
Deputy Attorney General Noelle Wilkinson of the Office of Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit will prosecute the cases.
It is important to note that all charges remain allegations at this stage, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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