An East Norriton man accused of running an organized retail theft ring that stole more than $155,000 in merchandise from stores in three states, including Dick's Sporting Goods, will face trial in Montgomery County Court after waiving his preliminary hearing Monday, Aug. 3.
Nehemeiah Jones, 31, of the 2600 block of Swede Road, faces charges of corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, receiving stolen property, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, robbery, aggravated assault, criminal use of a communication facility and corruption of minors, according to Main Line Media News. District Court Judge Patrick O. Krouse presided over the hearing.
Jones remains in the Montgomery County jail on $250,000 cash bail. His formal arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 19 before Judge Steven T. O'Neill.
Recruited juveniles as 'runners'
Investigators allege Jones operated the ring between April 2024 and August 2025, recruiting drivers to operate rental vehicles and juvenile "runners" to enter stores and steal merchandise on his behalf. He paid the juveniles a commission, according to a 98-page arrest affidavit filed by county Detective Sean Franchini, Upper Merion detectives Danny Bocanumenth and Sean Bryson, Upper Providence Detective John Burdsall and state police Trooper William Corvese.
Seven juveniles were used to commit thefts and robberies, authorities alleged. Some were arrested.
The affidavit states that theft actors, often juveniles, sprayed or threatened to spray store employees with mace, pepper spray or bear spray during high-value thefts.
Targeted retailers included Lululemon, Diesel, Givenchy, Nordstrom and Dick's Sporting Goods across Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, with total losses of $155,629.29, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's office.
Gift card laundering scheme
Investigators also identified a pattern of fraudulent returns at Lululemon stores in Upper Merion Township. Jones allegedly arranged for Lululemon merchandise to be stolen from stores across the tri-state area, then coordinated returns of the stolen items in exchange for gift cards loaded with store credit. He later sold the gift cards for additional profit, according to court documents.
The stolen goods, including designer purses, perfumes and clothing, were resold below market value through a social media marketplace Jones developed, detectives alleged.
"These schemes put store employees in harm's way, exploit young people and drive up prices for everyday consumers," District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said in April when Jones was arrested. "In this case, the defendant not only orchestrated large-scale thefts for profit but also endangered workers."
Plymouth Meeting retail theft context
Dick's Sporting Goods operates a store at The Metroplex in Plymouth Meeting. Court documents do not specify which Dick's locations were targeted by Jones' ring. As we reported July 23, a separate defendant, Matthew Ramos of Philadelphia, was charged earlier this summer in connection with an organized theft ring that targeted the Plymouth Meeting Dick's location.
The Jones case is separate and larger in scope. Pennsylvania State Police arrested Jones in Philadelphia on April 20 and he was arraigned the following day before Magisterial District Judge Jodi L. Griffis.
Defense attorney Thomas C. Egan III was court-appointed to represent Jones. The Aug. 19 arraignment will determine how the case proceeds toward trial.
