Teenager bites two Abington police officers after robbing Dick's Sporting Goods store in Willow Grove

Sani Reed, 18, of Philadelphia, bit two police officers after she and four other girls robbed a Dick's Sporting Goods store in Willow Grove on Saturday, May 18. CNB10 reported.

According to their coverage, Abington Township Police received a report of a theft in progress around 7:30 p.m. Store employees told officers they saw five teenage girls stealing merchandise and placing it in bags.

When officers attempted to arrest Reed, she resisted and tried to walk away, struggling, kicking one officer and biting two officers, investigators said. The bites were strong enough to break skin, and the two bitten officers required medical treatment at the hospital, according to the criminal complaint.

Reed also slipped out of her handcuffs twice before officers finally took her into custody, according to the criminal complaint.

The incident was filmed.

“Dick’s Sporting Goods has a secure store,” Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy said. “They observed five women working together, selecting items and hiding them in bags without making any effort to stop at the register to pay for them. When an officer is in uniform and we receive information of reasonable suspicion or even probable cause that a crime may have been committed, we have the authority to stop you for identification and then search you.

Police recovered 54 stolen items worth a total of $1,899 from the teenage girls, CNB10 said.

Reed is charged with aggravated assault, eluding, retail theft, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, simple assault and harassment. She is currently out on unsecured bail. The other four teenagers were charged with theft when they were minors.

Chief Molloy said CNB10 Retail theft is a growing problem and a gateway to other crimes.

“People are more willing to resist and fight with police officers or challenge our authority,” he said.

NBC10 Video coverage is below:

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Screenshot: NBC10