Police are searching for a man they say is wanted for multiple armed robberies at commercial businesses in Philadelphia.
The robberies occurred over the last several weeks and took place between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to the police.
Police describe the suspect as a man of medium to heavy build, estimated to be between the ages of 35 and 45.
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In each incident, police said the suspect approached the register with an item to purchase and presented cash. Once the register was opened, he announced the robbery and demanded U.S. currency from the clerk.
"They are generally occurring in the lower Northeast and East division areas. Generally near Roosevelt Boulevard. Three incidents happened at a Dollar General, two other incidents at Dollar Trees, two at ACME, and one at Boston Markert," said Captain John Craig, Commanding Officer of Northwest Detective Division.
The suspect is considered armed and dangerous, police said.
Police believe the suspect was involved in the following robbery incidents:
- September 21, 2024, 6:25 p.m. – 1200 block of East Erie Avenue
- September 21, 2024, 6:50 p.m. – 8400 block of Frankford Avenue (Attempted robbery; no items taken)
- September 21, 2024, 7:13 p.m. – 5800 block of Torresdale Avenue
- September 28, 2024, 7:50 p.m. – Dollar General located at 4411 Castor Avenue
- October 17, 2024, 8:05 p.m. – Acme located at 6601 Roosevelt Boulevard
- October 17, 2024, 8:20 p.m. – Boston Market located at 6350 Roosevelt Boulevard
- October 24, 2024, 12:12 p.m. –Dollar Tree located at 7350 Oxford Avenue
- October 24, 2024, 5:31 p.m. – Acme located at 6601 Roosevelt Boulevard
NBC10 obtained surveillance video from one of his robberies at a Dollar General on Castor Avenue in late September. The clerk explained that he first walked around the store grabbing items, offered to pay with cash and then showed a gun on his waist while demanding money.
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On Sunday, October 27, police connected three more armed robberies to the same suspect that took place on October 26.
The first of the three robberies took place at 9:09 a.m. along the 5500 block of Tulip Street in the Wissinoming neighborhood at a ShopRite, police said.
The offender approached the service desk, displayed a black handgun and demanded money from the register. He fled the scene in a gold or champagne colored Chrysler Town & Country minivan, police said.
The second robbery took place at 11:27 a.m. at a Dunkin’ Donuts located along the 5000 block of Rising Sun Ave.
The offender again displayed a black handgun in his waistband and demanded money and left with approximately $800, according to the police.
The last robbery police said took place at 4:20 p.m. along the 6300 block of Roosevelt Boulevard at a Boston Market.
The offender entered the business, placed a food order, and as the cashier opened the register he announced a robbery, displaying a handgun in his waistband. He got away with $500 and fled in an unknown direction.
Shoppers like Sharon Kloss said they are on edge after learning of this alleged serial robber on the loose in Philadelphia.
"Every time somebody steals something I got to pay a higher price because they have to make up the marketing through the customer. It’s very sad," Kloss told NBC10.
Investigators said that they have shared information with neighboring towns and cities believing he will strike again.
The Philadelphia Police Department urges anyone with information about these incidents to contact Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153 or the department's tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.
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