Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Cheltenham Township Police Chief John Slavin announced today the arrest of Truman Parks, 52, and Sydney Swain-Parks, 27, both of Philadelphia, for the assault of a security guard on December 6 at the Five Below at Greenleaf at Cheltenham (2385 W Cheltenham Avenue, Wyncote).
The pair have been charged with Criminal Attempt of Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and related charges.
According to the District Attorney’s report, officers arrived at the Five Below to find the store’s security guard with life-threatening injuries, going in and out of consciousness, and lying in a pool of blood. He was transported to Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital where he was taken into emergency surgery and later released.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and found that the suspect, later identified as Truman Parks, had entered the Five Below three times throughout the day, one of which took place at approximately 4:45pm. During that visit, Parks was seen placing $150 worth of store merchandise inside a store basket then leaving the store without paying for the items and without confrontation.
At 5:15pm, Parks returned the empty basket and was followed by the security guard where video captures the two engaged in a “heated verbal exchange.”
At 6:26pm, Parks returned as a passenger in a blue Jeep Liberty. The vehicle was driven by a woman, later identified as Sydney Swain-Parks.
“Video surveillance shows that they both enter the store and look down the aisles until they observe the victim,” the District Attorney said. “Truman Parks then approached the victim from behind and stabbed him. The victim is seen frantically fighting for his life, attempting to get away. After punching the victim, Truman Parks then runs past the victim and flees the store. Sydney Swain-Parks then calmly steps around the victim and walks out of the store.”
Detectives searched the Jeep’s license plate and learned that the same vehicle was involved in a minor crash earlier in the day. The driver at the time of the accident was identified as Sydney Swain-Parks.
“Through PennDOT records, an address was found for Sydney Swain-Parks, showing Truman Parks also had previously resided at the residence. The PennDOT photo of Truman Parks matched the video surveillance,” the District Attorney said.
Truman Parks and Sydney Swain-Parks were arraigned at 7:30pm on Thursday, December 19. Bail was set for Truman Parks at $10 million cash and $500,000 cash for Sydney Swain-Parks.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 30. The defendants will be prosecuted by Assistant Chief Katheen McLaughlin, the District Attorney said.
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Photos: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office