Four Philadelphia women face criminal charges after a Sept. 9 fight at a Dollar General parking lot in Upper Darby, where police allege a baseball bat was involved, threats were made against a store employee and an officer was shoved during an arrest. The case has also prompted Upper Darby Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt to criticize the bail terms set for one defendant.
According to Delco Times, Lt. Mike DeHoratius was on patrol around 10:08 p.m. when he saw a disturbance outside the Dollar General at 704 Garrett Road. Police said a male suspect ran into the store, where Agianni J. Melton allegedly locked the door, sat on a detained person and took a fighting stance toward officers and others in the group.
Police say Nichole M. Thompson pulled Melton away during the chaos, then shoved a patrol officer. When officers tried to arrest her, Thompson struggled against being handcuffed, according to the outlet's account of the incident. Police also say Malaya T. Moore arrived at the scene with Jayann Brown in a Jeep, and that Brown exited the passenger side carrying a baseball bat.
Threats and a Prior Run-In With an Employee
A Dollar General employee told police there had been a physical altercation with Moore on Sept. 6, just three days before the brawl, per the same account. Police say Moore returned to the store during the Sept. 9 incident and threatened to kill the employee, while Brown allegedly shouted, “I'm going to bust your wife's face in!” Officers later seized a baseball bat from Moore's Jeep as part of the investigation.
Police arrested all four women on Sept. 9. According to the report, Thompson, 39, faces aggravated assault and fighting charges, with the assault allegation based on the alleged shove of an officer. Brown, 22, faces charges of making terroristic threats, possessing an instrument of crime and fighting. Melton, 19, faces obstruction of law enforcement and fighting charges, while Moore, 22, faces making terroristic threats and fighting charges.
How Bail Broke Down for Each Defendant
District Judge Elizabeth S. Gallard set Brown's bail at 10 percent of $15,000, which she posted. Moore was held on 10 percent of $10,000 and also posted cash bail. Melton and Thompson were released on unsecured bail of $40,000 and $75,000, respectively. Unlike percentage bail, unsecured bail requires no cash payment up front; if a defendant later fails to appear, the court may seek the full amount.
What unsecured bail means in Pennsylvania
The $40,000 and $75,000 figures are not amounts the defendants had to pay immediately. In this case, unsecured bail allowed Melton and Thompson to remain released without posting cash, while leaving them potentially responsible for the stated amounts if they fail to appear. According to a filing in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, bail is intended to ensure a defendant's appearance, and state law favors release rather than detention before guilt or innocence is determined. The Pennsylvania Superior Court has also discussed bail review and release conditions. The next step in the case is the preliminary hearing. The Delaware County Public Defender's Office says adult criminal cases begin with a preliminary hearing in the magisterial district court where the alleged crime occurred.
The bail distinction drew criticism from Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt, who said Thompson had chosen to join the confrontation, resisted arrest and physically shoved a uniformed officer. He called the $75,000 unsecured amount “a disgrace,” according to the report. Bernhardt also said Thompson lives in Philadelphia but gave bail officials a Chester address.
Superintendent Says Bail Sends Wrong Message
Bernhardt said bail should be used to protect public safety and secure a defendant's appearance in court, not as a form of punishment or automatic leniency. He argued that the decision in Thompson's case conveyed the wrong message. The Daily Times reported that the district judge and court administration did not respond to requests for comment.
The four women are scheduled to appear Sept. 21 before District Judge Harry J. Karapalides for preliminary hearings.
