Upper Moreland Township Police Department Photo by James Short.
Two people were arrested after police say they stole thousands of dollars’ worth of laptops from the Walmart in Willow Grove and led officers on a pursuit into neighboring Horsham Township, according to court documents.
Upper Moreland Police were dispatched to Walmart, 2101 Blair Mill Road, around 11:05 p.m. Feb. 6 for a report of a retail theft in progress. Store employees reported a man was seen opening an emergency exit, smashing a display case and removing laptop computers before fleeing in a U-Haul van.
An officer from the Horsham Township Police Department spotted a U-Haul matching the description traveling south on Blair Mill Road and turning onto Commerce Avenue. When the officer activated his lights and siren, the van pulled over near Maryland Road.
Police said the situation quickly escalated when the driver, described as a Black female, Tynieka Lache Jones, 32, of Schwenksville, and a Black male passenger, James Jordan, 49, of Philadelphia, began switching seats while the van was still in drive. The vehicle rolled forward and struck the rear passenger side of the patrol car before the male took control, backed up and fled west on Commerce Avenue.
Upper Moreland Police initiated a pursuit as the U-Haul allegedly ran multiple red lights at Blair Mill Road and Witmer Road before continuing into Horsham Township. The van eventually turned onto Wade Avenue and became stuck in the snow while attempting to turn around in a cul-de-sac.
According to police, as they chased the suspect, he slipped on the snow and tackled the man by his feet. During the takedown, the suspect’s foot struck an officer in the chin and mouth, causing injury. The two men fell to the ground and began wrestling in the snow, with the suspect landing on his back.
While on the ground, the suspect grabbed the officer's holstered firearm with both hands. The officer shouted, “He got my gun,” and repeatedly ordered the man to release his grip. The suspect refused and allegedly yelled statements including, “You gotta kill me,” “Kill me! Kill me! I got it, I got the gun! I’m crazy,” and “I’ll fight you to the death.”
Another officer assisted in prying the suspect’s hands away from the firearm. The struggle continued, and during the altercation the suspect bit an officer on the left shoulder, breaking the skin and causing additional injury. Even as more officers arrived to help, police said the man continued to resist, keeping one arm tucked underneath his body and forcing officers to use significant effort to gain control. A spring-loaded center hole punch tool was found on him
Walmart later determined that seven HP laptops valued at $3,193 were stolen. A glass display case valued at $245.89 was also damaged. Surveillance video allegedly shows the suspect smashing the case, loading the laptops into a cart and exiting through the rear of the store
Jones, was taken into custody without incident. Police said text messages on her phone indicated she was aware of the plan and discussed being paid to drive and act as a lookout. A criminal history check revealed Jones has a prior retail theft conviction.
Jordan and Jones both are scheduled for preliminary hearings on March 20, 2026 a 11:00 a.m. before Judge Thomas P. Murt.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
