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Crime & Safety

Purse, Wallet Theft Suspect Snagged

John Irby, 48, of Philadelphia, was arrested and is custody in Montgomery County on charges of related crimes.

Authorities report the man suspected of stealing purses and wallets from office complexes in Bensalem is in jail in Montgomery County for similar crimes.

John Irby, 48, of Philadelphia, is the lead suspect in four theft cases being investigated in Bensalem and he is also suspected of a similar incident in Falls Township, Sgt. Andy Aninsman said.

Police are working to obtain an arrest warrant for the 48-year-old related to the thefts he is alleged to have committed in Bucks County, Aninsman said.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Irby became a suspect in the Bensalem incidents after security from area Target stores contacted Bensalem detectives and informed them Irby was suspected of similar crimes in nearby communities, the sergeant reported.

Aninsman said the suspect would swipe purses and wallets and make illegal purchases on credit and debit cards at retailers.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Irby was arrested by Lower Merion police in late May and is facing 17 charges in Montgomery County for similar crimes, according court records and Bensalem police. Irby also faced burglary charges after a 2004 incident in Upper Dublin.

As of Friday morning, Irby remains incarcerated at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility on $50,000 bail.

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