Police Search For Southwest Philadelphia Robbery Suspect
By Elizabeth Hur
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Chilling images from two robberies in two days – Philadelphia police are now asking for the public's assistance in identifying the gunman.
Police describe the suspect as bold and brazen who moves fast, terrorizing employees in the process.
Police released surveillance video of the suspect but on Monday night, Eyewitness News obtained additional footage you'll only see on Eyewitness News.
In the exclusive video, you can see the suspect with his gun drawn then you see the store owner and even a customer with both of their arms in the air fearing for their lives. Police also released images from a different camera angle that show a clear look at the suspect's face.
Eyewitness News spoke to one of the victims, "He pointed the gun at my husband and my husband said, don't shoot don't shoot!"
The victim asked that we don't identify her but shared with us what her 15 cameras captured last Friday when her West Philadelphia corner store in the 200 block of North 50th Street was robbed.
Police tell us, the same suspect robbed another Kingsessing store in the 5100 block of Woodland Avenue just a day earlier. That store is equipped with 9 cameras. The quality of the video is so pristine, one worker there was baffled, she also asked that we don't use her name.
The worker explained, "How bold he was. I mean was this person just stupid? Do you not cover your face? Like he just doesn't care, then it makes you wonder what else are you bold enough to do?"
The worker remembers returning from break and finding her terrified boss, "She said, 'The gun, the man, the gun and I knew who just came out the door because he just walked right past me."
Lt. John Walker added, "In both cases, he approaches a female employee, he goes directly behind the counter, pulls out a revolver, points at the employee and asks them to open the register."
Both times, he was caught on camera. Both times, he was wearing the same clothes and sporting the same backpack. But police say he got away with cash from just one of the robberies which is why police worry, he may be eager to strike again.
"Obviously a person like this who's just clearly targeting females is of concern to us because he may continue this path," Walker explained.
Police describe the suspect as a black male between 20-25 years old, around 5'5", dark-skinned and weighing about 120 lbs. The suspect is seen on tape wearing a light blue hooded sweatshirt with a white t-shirt underneath, tan khaki pants with black and white sneakers. Police say the suspect has tattoos on his neck, the right side of his face and possibly between his eyes.
If you see the suspect, police say do not approach him, call 911 right away or call (215) 686-TIPS or contact Southwest Detectives at (215) 686-3183.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately.
Watch the surveillance video...
