Man arrested in Thanksgiving Day theft, stabbing at Allentown dollar store

ALLENTOWN — Police said a 28-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with a theft and stabbing he committed in Allentown on Thanksgiving Day.

According to Allentown Police, officers responded to Family Dollar in the 1400 block of Allen Street around 2:45 p.m. Thursday. Police said the suspect, 28-year-old Raphael Garcia, was concealing merchandise on his person.

According to police, an employee intervened when Garcia tried to exit the store without paying. Garcia then "produced a knife and slashed the victim on the hand," police said.

Police said the employee sustained a minor laceration to his hand and provided officers with security footage of the subject.

Police said the security footage was used to identify Garcia, who they say was observed walking near a parking deck in the 900 block of Linden Street early Friday morning.

An officer initiated a stop, and Garcia was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, authorities say. He was arrested and confessed to the Family Dollar theft and stabbing during a detective's interview, police said.

For his alleged actions, Garcia is charged with simple assault, retail theft, and possessing instruments of a crime.