Elias Morris arrested after allegedly robbing Mullica Hill UPS store
Press release issued by Harrison Twp. Police Department
At 7:18 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, the Harrison Township Police Department was dispatched to the UPS Store at 157 Bridgeton Pike for a reported knife-point robbery. The victim provided Gloucester County Communications with a description of the suspect, which was relayed to the responding officers. Sgt. Brent Datz responded directly to the scene to obtain further information and Ptl. Michael Flannery checked the surrounding area for the suspect.
The victim reported that the suspect entered the backdoor of the store with what appeared to be a knife, and demanded the money from the cash register and the safe. The victim advised Sgt. Datz that the suspect was able to get away with approximately $540.00 in cash.
He also provided a more detailed description of the suspect to Sgt. Datz, indicating that the weapon used in the robbery was actually a pair of scissors with blue handles. The victim reported the suspect then fled on foot though the rear door of the business. Sgt. Datz relayed the information to Ptl. Flannery.
As Ptl. Flannery was checking the area he observed a subject matching the description in the Mullica Hill Plaza shopping center in the area of Crescent Moon Coffee. Ptl. Flannery approached the subject and, after patting him down for safety, began questioning him about the incident. The male subject was identified as Elias Morris, a 30-year-old male from Swedesboro.
As Ptl. Flannery spoke with Morris, he became extremely nervous. After Ptl. Flannery determined he had enough probable cause to detain Morris, he became aggressive and agitated. Ptl. Flannery attempted to place Morris in handcuffs, he began resisting arrest and attempting to flee. A struggle ensued in which Ptl. Flannery utilized OC spray on Morris and then was wrestling with Morris on the ground attempting to place him in handcuffs. An unknown Good Samaritan came to Ptl. Flannery’s assistance and Morris was subdued and placed under arrest.
Morris was found to have in his possession $534.20 in cash, a blue handled pair of scissors, seven blue wax folds containing suspected heroin, and seven small, clear, empty baggies. After being transported to police headquarters, Morris was afforded the opportunity to flush his eyes of the OC spray.
Gloucester County Emergency Medical services responded to provide medical assistance which Morris refused. Gloucester County EMS treated Ptl. Flannery for several cuts he obtained on his hands while attempting to subdue Morris. Morris was processed and charged criminally with robbery, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of CDS (Heroin), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Morris was then turned over to the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Department to be transported to Salem County Jail to await his preliminary hearing in Gloucester County Superior Court.
Armed Robbery Detective Adam McEvoy responded and assisted Sgt. Datz and Ptl. Flannery with the investigation. The Harrison Township Police Department would like to thank the unknown subject for his assistance and ask that if he, or anyone who knows him, would contact any of the above listed officers at (856) 478–6839 or by stopping in to police headquarters.
