What began as a routine evening at a Willow Grove pharmacy ended with a foot chase and the recovery of nearly $1,600 in stolen merchandise, according to police.
On Feb. 5, officers responded around 9:15 p.m. to the CVS located at 2870 W. Moreland Road in the Willow Grove section of Abington Township for a reported retail theft in progress.
Store employees told police that a man exited the store carrying a shopping basket filled with merchandise, passing all points of sale without attempting to pay. The suspect was last seen heading into a wooded area adjacent to the property.
Abington Police searched the tree line and soon spotted a man fleeing on foot. After a brief pursuit, officers apprehended the suspect across Fitzwatertown Road.
The man was identified as Kevin Atkisson, 36, of Philadelphia, A CVS employee positively identified him as the individual who left the store with the unpaid merchandise.
Police said the total value of the stolen goods was $1,580, a significant amount for a single retail theft case. Authorities did not release details on the specific items taken, but the value places the incident well above typical shoplifting totals.
Court records indicate Atkisson has one prior conviction for retail theft.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge John D. Kessler.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
