Collegeville Security Guard Assaulted News Photographer, Police Say

A security guard helping the North Coventry Township Police Department find a shoplifter at the Coventry Mall faces charges of robbery, simple assault and more after a confrontation with a news photographer who was taking a video recording of the August 15 incident.

Sarah Roller, of Collegeville,  was employed as loss prevention officer at the Kohl’s department store in the mall, located on West Schuylkill Road in Pottstown, and was helping police find a suspect who stole items from the mall’s Boscov’s and fled on foot around 2:30 p.m., according to the North Coventry Police.

While searching, Roller, 36, observed the victim sitting in his vehicle, recording her and the other police activity.  Believing she was being recorded without her consent, Roller attempted to take the video camera from the victim by force, allegedly striking the victim in the face, police said.

The victim was reportedly injured in his eye and is being treated for neck and shoulder pain, police said.

North Coventry Police Robert A. Schurr witnessed the incident and stepped in to stop the alleged assault, according to police.  The alleged victim was identified as a local news photographer.

Roller was arraigned before Judge James DeAngelo on charges of robbery, simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief, and is out on bail prior to a preliminary hearing.