Man charged with retail theft, assault in Pottstown

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com

POTTSTOWN — A man was charged with retail theft and assault after he tried to steal motor oil from Wal-Mart.
According to police, Mario Ellis, 52, of Pottstown, was at the store on Shoemaker Road on March 13 around 5:15 p.m. when he was spotted attempting to steal two bottles of Mobil 1 Motor Oil, police said.
The loss prevention officer allegedly approached Ellis, introduced himself ,and told Ellis he needed the motor oil back, police said.
Instead of giving the oil back, Ellis allegedly tried to hit the officer in the face, police said.
Ellis ran from the store, got into a blue Mercedes and left.
When responding Pottstown Police found the car at the Motel 6, they also found Ellis and the stolen motor oil.
According to police, both bottles cost $16.41.
Court documents revealed Ellis was convicted three previous times for retail theft. Once in Berks County in 2013 and twice in Montgomery County; in 2012 and 2010.
Ellis was arraigned by District Judge Karen Zucker on March 13. He is confined to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000.
He is expected in court again on March 27 at 11:15 a.m.