Police arrested three more people in connection to the deadly shooting of a store manager during an attempted robbery at a Chester, Delaware County, Pa. pharmacy, including the store's loss prevention officer. The arrests come nearly two weeks after police arrested the man and woman who they say committed the original crime.
On Sept. 19, police say a man and a woman entered the Rite Aid store along the 2700 block of W 9th Street just before 10 p.m. and "engaged the manager (in) an apparent scuffle."
When officers arrived they found 40-year-old Jason McClay, shot in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police identified the suspects as 24-year-old David Wiggins and 23-year-old Rita Pultro. They were both arrested the weekend after the shooting. Wiggins was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, conspiracy and several weapons charges.
Pultro was charged with first-, second- and third-degree murder, attempted robbery, reckless endangerment and weapon offenses. Pultro was the co-conspirator in the robbery and murder, according to investigators.
According to a criminal complaint, the robbery was planned by Wiggins, Pultro, as well as 23-year-old Tariq Mahmud, the loss prevention officer at the Rite-Aid, 23-year-old Christopher Parks and 19-year-old Ashaniere White.
Mahmud, who allegedly planned two other robberies at the store where he worked, told the other four that there would be $6,000 in the safe inside the Rite-Aid, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators say that Parks drove Pultro and Wiggins to the store the day of the shooting. Pultro and Wiggins went inside while Parks remained in the car, according to the criminal complaint.
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Investigators say that Pultro lured McClay to the diaper aisle. As McClay bent down, Wiggins allegedly pointed a gun at his head. According to the criminal complaint, McClay began to wrestle for the gun. Wiggins then allegedly pushed McClay and then fired his weapon, striking him in the head. Wiggins and Pultro then allegedly fled the store, went inside the car and Parks drove off.
According to the criminal complaint, Wiggins used a .380 caliber handgun in the shooting.
Police say an anonymous tipster led them to Mahmud. They arrested him along with Parks and White on Wednesday.
All three suspects, who are from South Philadelphia, are charged with second and third degree murder, robbery and conspiracy.
Rite Aid released a statement addressing security concerns.
"Safety and security is a top priority for Rite Aid and we work diligently to prevent and investigate robberies. We work with all levels of law enforcement, our retail competitors and industry groups to share information and tactics in an effort to deter and prevent robberies, and we are committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure we are providing a safe environment for our associates and customers."
"Our hearts and prayers go out to Jason’s family, friends and co-workers. We are extremely saddened by the tragic loss of our team member. We met with his family this morning to offer our deepest sympathies and we will continue to be available to them during this difficult time," a spokesperson for Rite Aid said in a statement.
