Suspect in theft of Phillies rings a no-show

The rowdy Phillies fan who got tossed from a playoff game in October, then stopped while leaving to fill out a job application and allegedly stole an envelope containing three World Series rings, failed to appear for his court hearing yesterday.

For that, Matthew Mervine, 22, of Berlin, got slapped with a bench warrant.

But he somehow figured out that he was supposed to be in Municipal Court at 11th and Wharton Streets in South Philadelphia yesterday, and went to his local police station to let them know he didn't mean to blow off his criminal case, said Capt. Laurence Nodiff, commander of South Detectives.

Philadelphia police were contacted, and told Mervine to show up at the Criminal Justice Center in the next few days to schedule a new court date, Nodiff said.

What, if any, penalty he might face is uncertain. Often, bench warrants are lifted and the case proceeds if the person shows up with a half-decent excuse.

Nodiff said he didn't know what excuse Mervine had for failing to appear.

Mervine could not be reached for comment yesterday.

On Oct. 8, Mervine and a few friends were ejected from Game 2 of the playoff series against the Colorado Rockies for being obnoxious.

On his way out, police said, Mervine decided to go to the Phillies offices to apply for a job. After filling out an application - with his name and address - Mervine noticed on a counter a manila envelope bearing the name of a former Phillies player, police said. He swiped the envelope, which contained three 2008 World Series rings worth $1,100 each, police said. The commemorative replica rings are worth far less than the $11,000 rings given to players, coaches, and other employees.

The case was easy to solve. The application contained Mervine's name and address, and the entire episode was caught on video. Within a few hours, police arrested Mervine at his home on Coleman Road and charged him with theft and receiving stolen property.