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Chenry Lewis was arrested Saturday after he returned to the Route 46 store, Police Chief Michael Foligno said.
Then he smiled for his mugshot.
The night before, Lewis used force to flee with the phones, turning what began as a snatch-and-run into a robbery, the chief said.
Authorities have "no idea" why Lewis went back, Foligno said.
He remained held Sunday in the Bergen County Jail.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Lewis moved with his family to Paterson when he was 15.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pound Lewis starred on both offense and defense at now-defunct Paterson Catholic High School for a squad that dominated New Jersey high school football.
His play eclipsed that of teammate Victor Cruz, who went on to star for the New York Giants.
Lewis later played outside linebacker and defensive lineman at Rutgers before transferring to Abilene (TX) Christian University for his senior year in 2008.
He was part of the highest-scoring game in NCAA Division II playoff history when undefeated ABU beat Texas A&M 93-68 in 2008.
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PREVIOUS STORY: A brazen thief snatched cellphones and ran from the Verizon store in Elmwood Park Friday night, authorities said.
It was a "snatch and run with a little physical force," Police Chief Michael Foligno said, but no serious injuries were reported.
The thief fled the Route 46 store and vanished around 6 p.m., responders said. There was no immediate physical description.
The Bergen County Sheriff's Bureau of Criminal Identification collected evidence.
Michael Jannicelli contributed to this report.
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