The Cheltenham Township Police Department announced today the arrest of Russell Mason-Watts, 32, of Philadelphia, following an attempted robbery in the parking lot of the Target located at 2450 Shoppers Lane on September 14.
Mason-Watts reportedly attempted to steal a woman’s cell phone at approximately 9:35am before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. He also “punched the victim and threatened to shoot her in the face”, though the woman refused to give up her phone, police said.
Officer Zachariah Slivinski was able to spot the Mason-Watts’ vehicle before initiating a stop and detaining the suspect. The victim, who declined EMS services, was brought to the scene, made a positive identification, and he was arrested without incident.
According to today’s report, Mason-Watts faces multiple charges in both Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties for a series of gunpoint robberies.
A second suspect is still at large, and is described as a Black male, heavy build, wearing a black surgical mask, grey hoodie with black writing on the chest, black pants, and white shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cheltenham Detectives at:
- Phone: 215-885-1600
- Email: PoliceTips@cheltenhampa.gov
- Web: CheltenhamPA.gov/policetips
The Philadelphia Police Department, the Abington Township Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted in the investigation, police said.
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Photos: CTPD