Cops nab two in theft of Cassidy donations

Police have arrested two out of the three people they say stole donations made to the family of slain Police Officer Chuck Cassidy. Meanwhile, news of the thefts has prompted others to step forward and give money to the Cassidy family.

Earlier this month, donation jars were stolen from the same West Oak Lane Dunkin' Donuts where Cassidy was fatally shot and at a nearby Wawa.

"During this time of the year, clearly we see the best and worst of people," said Chief of Detectives Keith Sadler, adding that he hoped the thefts would not discourage businesses from collecting for good causes.

"We see hard-working people give what they can, and they feel good about it," Sadler said. He said people in the community assisted police in identifying suspects in the Wawa arrests.

Robert Labar, 33 and Linda Reed, 24, both of the 4500 block of Mercer Street, are charged with theft, receiving stolen property, and related offenses.

Today, shortly after police announced the arrests, Mandy Lain, a Wawa spokeswoman, quickly replied, "That's good news."

The company, she said, is also donating $150 to the Cassidy family to replenish an estimated $100 in collections taken from the jar.

"Our hearts go out to the family," said Lain, adding that she has numerous relatives who are police officers. "It just seems so terrible that anyone would do that, especially this time of the year."

On Tuesday, Kevin McWilliams, Dunkin' Donuts district manager, said that when news spread about the theft at the store where Cassidy was shot, customers immediately responded with more than $100 to replace the $30 taken.

Cassidy, a 35th District officer and 25-year veteran, was shot Oct. 31 when he was making routine rounds and walked into a robbery in progress at the Dunkin' Donuts in the 6600 block of North Broad Street. He died the next day. He is survived by his wife and three children.

John "Jordan" Lewis, 21, an Olney High School dropout, is charged with the slaying.

On Dec. 7, someone broke into the Dunkin' Donuts where Cassidy was shot and was captured on surveillance tape grabbing the donations jar and fleeing.

The next day, a man was captured on surveillance tape at the Wawa store in the 2800 block of Tyson Avenue in Mayfair, taking the donations jar and leaving with a woman.

After the surveillance tapes were shown on television, narcotics officers received a tip about the couple seen in the Wawa tape.

Officer Tanya Little said detectives were still investigating the other burglary.

In addition to donation jars, anyone who wants to donate money to the family can contribute to a trust fund. Checks can be written to the Charles Cassidy Family Memorial Trust Fund, 901 Arch St., Philadelphia 19107.

Donations can also be taken to the 35th Police District, 5960 N. Broad St., Philadelphia; or to any of the following Police and Fire Federal Credit Union branches: 901 Arch St., 7604 City Ave., 8500 Henry Ave., 3338 S. Broad St., Leo Mall at Byberry and Bustleton Avenues, 7500 Castor Ave., and 3330 Grant Ave.