June 06, 2016
Source/Google Street View
Industrial complex at 6250 Baltimore Avenue in Yeadon Borough.
Authorities in Delaware County have issued an arrest warrant for a North Carolina man sought in the murder of 63-year-old man last June at an industrial complex in Yeadon. The suspect, according to officials, frequently spends time in Philadelphia.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan announced Monday that police are seeking 37-year-old Rodney Talbo Shelton II, of Elizabeth City, N.C., in the fatal shooting of Thomas Childs on June 9, 2015.
Yeadon Police responded to an industrial facility at 6250 Baltimore Avenue at approximately 3:51 a.m. that morning after receiving a report of a suspicious individual at the complex. Officers found Childs lying face-up next to his delivery truck in the loading dock of Ridgeway Industries. He had gunshot wounds to his body and his pants pockets were turned inside out.
A witness at the scene told authorities that he heard a noise while driving his delivery truck and later saw a light-skinned black male walk away from the area where Childs' body was found. As the two crossed paths, the suspect allegedly reached for his waistband before running away from the truck.
Detectives later found two fired .9mm cartridge casings, the victim's cell phone and a .9mm high point handgun with the serial number defaced. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were eventually able to recover the serial number and trace the weapon to North Carolina.
Officials identified Shelton as the primary suspect based on a police sketch and partial shoe impression left at the scene. He is charged with first, second and third- degree murder, robbery and various related firearms charges.
“This announcement comes just three days before the one-year anniversary of Thomas Childs' senseless, ruthless murder," said District Attorney Jack Whelan. "We are now on the heels of this cold-hearted killer, and are asking for the public’s help to locate him and bring justice for his family."
Shelton is described as 6'0'' tall, 205 pounds and light-skinned, with freckles and tattoos on his neck and head. He has brown eyes, black hair, and his most distinctive tattoo is a spider web that spans the top of his head. Officials say Shelton frequently spends time in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Elizabeth City. His last known address is on the 900 block of 900 block of Shillingtown Road in Elizabeth City. He is considered armed and dangerous.
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with knowledge of Shelton's whereabouts is asked to contact the Citizens Crime Commission tip line at 215-546-TIPS (8477). All callers remain anonymous.
