Willow Grove Park Mall Photo by James Short.
Two men were arrested following an alleged assault and robbery outside Willow Grove Park Mall that left a victim hospitalized with significant facial injuries, according to Abington Township police.
Joel Burch, 19, of Philadelphia, and James Burch, 21, of Philadelphia, are both facing felony charges stemming from the incident.
Police said officers were dispatched around 5:53 p.m. on Feb. 13 to the mall’s bus stop area, located at 2500 Moreland Road, for reports of a robbery in progress. When officers arrived, they located the victim seated near the first-level main entrance suffering from multiple injuries.
Authorities reported the victim had large swollen contusions across his face and forehead, along with visible bruising and lacerations to his nose and mouth. He was bleeding when officers made contact.
According to investigators, the victim told police he had been sitting at the bus stop when two men, identified as Joel Burch and James Burch, approached him and questioned him about a person known as “Gabe.” The confrontation allegedly escalated after the men accused the victim of being involved in a romantic relationship with "Gabe's" girlfriend.
Police say the suspects then began yelling threats before repeatedly punching the victim while he was seated. The victim told officers he was knocked to the ground and continued to be struck in the face and body.
During the assault, investigators said one of the suspects allegedly grabbed the victim’s light blue iPhone 13 as he attempted to call for help, smashed it on the ground, and demanded the passcode before taking the device.
A witness told police the suspects threatened bystanders, warning them not to call authorities and allegedly making statements about stabbing or shooting anyone who intervened.
The victim was able to flee into the mall and request help from another person, who contacted police.
Officers later stopped a SEPTA Route 55 bus near Abington Memorial Hospital, where both suspects were detained. The victim, who had been transported to the hospital by ambulance, positively identified the men, police said.
A preliminary hearing for both men is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Juanita A. Price.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
