Nether Providence Township Police have arrested a man they say took a wallet containing $320 from the counter of a convenience store, only to return the wallet a short time later – minus the cash. 

Dietrich Binder, 44, of Wallingford, is charged with one count each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, according to a probable-cause affidavit by Detective James Irey. Binder was arrested Thursday, capping an investigation by Irey, Sgt. Michael Markunas and Officer Steve Kilian. 

It was on Jan. 20, 2025, that NPPD was dispatched to Pantry 1 on North Providence Road for a theft. The victim told police he mistakenly left a wallet on the counter after making purchases. The victim said the wallet contained $320. 

Store surveillance video captured a white man standing at the counter. He is seen picking up and putting down a wallet, looking around the store, and then picking up the wallet again, this time placing the wallet into his right back pocket before exiting the store. 

A short time later, that same man returned to Pantry 1. He gave the wallet to an employee, saying he had found it in the store. The employee proceeded to return the wallet to the owner, who was sitting in his car in the parking lot. When the victim noticed that the cash was missing from his wallet, he called out to the suspect who began running north on Providence Road.

The individual in the surveillance video was identified as Binder after his photo was shared on NPPD social media platforms. The store employee also identified Binder in a photo array.

Binder’s preliminary arraignment on the two misdemeanor offenses is pending.

*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law*