An Upper Darby man has been charged with robbing a Ridley Township smoke shop.
Xavier Franklin, 34, has been charged with robbery, carrying a firearm without a license, theft, receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, simple assault and unlawful restraint.
According to Ridley Township police Lt. John Hamill:
Just before 8 p.m. Monday a male walked into the Empire Smoke Shop, 1418 Chester Pike, pointed a handgun at an employee and demanded the cash from the register.
The employee complied and the worker was then ordered to a back room and locked in as the robber took additional items, placed the handgun in his right pocket and fled the store.
Eddystone Officer Chase Smith heard the description of the suspect and stopped a male walking at 12th and Melrose in Chester.
Police detained the man, then identified as Franklin. In his pockets they found cash, hemp products, some already opened and a firearm.
The store employee was brought to the location where he identified Franklin as the robber. Ridley police then took Franklin into custody.
Franklin was arraigned before District Judge Michael F. Culp, who set bail at 10 percent of $350,000, which Franklin was unable to post. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 8 before District Judge George B. Dawson.