On Wednesday June 18th, 2025 at about 7:15 PM, Upper Merion Police (UMPD) were dispatched to the Wawa (located at 145 W. Dekalb Pike) for an attempted robbery and possible carjacking. An elderly couple had stopped at the Wawa to refuel their vehicle. As the husband entered the Wawa, the 66 year old female remained in their vehicle. While sitting at the gas pump, a juvenile male approached the passenger side of the car and opened the door. The male juvenile told the victim that their vehicle was leaking fuel. When the victim told the male that she did not have a leak, he began yelling profanities at her to get out of the vehicle. As this was occurring, three additional juvenile males forcibly opened the driver's door and were screaming at the female to get out of the car. The juveniles then attempted to steal her cell phone before the victim honked her horn to get someone's attention.

The juveniles fled to the rear parking area of the Wawa where the husband encountered them and asked them why they were harassing his wife. Again, the juveniles were confrontational and one of them punched the 75 year old husband in the neck before running away. Thankfully, he was not seriously injured.

UMPD officers quickly arrived on location and were able to get a clothing description of the suspects. A UMPD patrol sergeant responding to the area saw males matching the description of those in the robbery near the intersection of Route 202 and Saulin Boulevard. As the Sergeant stopped them, one of the juveniles ran into a wooded area near Prince Frederick Boulevard. He was quickly apprehended by an off-duty UMPD detective. 

The four juveniles were positively identified by the victims and taken into custody.  The ages of the juveniles, who were not residents of Upper Merion Township, ranged from 11-13 years of age. 

They were charged with Robbery of a Motor Vehicle, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery of a Motor Vehicle, Simple Assault and related charges. All four juveniles were remanded to the Montgomery County Youth Detention Facility while they await further court proceedings.

UMPD is also investigating these same juveniles for their involvement in a retail theft that occurred at the King of Prussia Mall earlier on June 18th as well as another Theft and Disturbance at the same Wawa on Tuesday June 17th. 

Great job by our "A" Nights officers and Detectives in quickly locating and apprehending these repeat offenders!