Upper Moreland Township Police Department Photo by James Short.
Upper Moreland Police arrested a 41-year-old Willow Grove man earlier this month after he allegedly returned to a restaurant where he had been formally banned, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 8:38 p.m. on April 2 at a Panera Bread, located at 30 Park Avenue in the Willow Grove section of the township, according to police. Officers responded to a report of a disturbance involving an individual who had previously been trespassed from the property.
Police said responding officers took the man, identified as 41-year-old Philip David Rein, into custody outside the restaurant shortly after arriving on scene. Store management reported that Rein had been officially trespassed from the location on April 1 and contacted emergency services after he returned to the business.
Investigators confirmed that the trespass notice had been issued the day prior. According to police, Rein told officers he believed he was only required to leave the property on the prior occasion and did not realize he was prohibited from returning.
Officers determined he was in violation of the trespass order and placed him under arrest for defiant trespassing. His personal belongings were later recovered from inside the restaurant.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 17, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Thomas P. Murt.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
