Hatboro police are searching for two armed robbery suspects who allegedly stole several hundred dollars from a smoke shop late Monday night. The Hatboro Smoke Shop on York Road was targeted shortly before 10:30 p.m., and officers have released surveillance video to help identify the pair.
Police said the two male suspects entered the store wearing all black and threatened the employee. Hatboro Police Chief Mark Ruegg said one suspect pulled out a gun and demanded money after the employee asked both men to remove their masks.
“Luckily, in this case, the clerk complied; he gave him the money,” Ruegg said. “Didn’t offer any resistance, and after gathering the money, both suspects left.”
The suspects left with several hundred dollars before officers arrived at the scene, police said. Ruegg said investigators consider both suspects armed and dangerous.
Christine Wilson, who lives nearby, said she was walking by during the robbery. “I saw the police here,” Wilson said. “They said you can’t go into the store.”
Wilson, who recently moved to the area, said the incident was a surprise. “It’s scary because we just moved here and it’s not what I expected,” Wilson said.
Randi Coleman of Willow Grove said the robbery has raised concerns in the neighborhood. “We want to enjoy our community, enjoy our day, and not have to worry about stuff like this, so it’s sad,” Coleman said.
Ruegg said one suspect has a distinct tattoo on his left hand. The other appears to have a design on the back of his sweatshirt, Ruegg said.
“The quicker we can get these 2 suspects off the street, better for everyone involved,” Ruegg said. “And certainly we don’t want to see anything happen again or have these 2 suspects escalate their behavior.”
Detectives tracked the suspects walking several blocks west on Moreland Avenue before losing sight of them, according to police. Ruegg said officers will continue searching for the pair.
“We’ll hunt them down until they’re behind bars,” Ruegg said.
Police have not announced any arrests in the Hatboro Smoke Shop case. The department is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant Dilks at 215-675-2832 or cdilks@hatboropolice.org.
Hatboro is a small borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Armed robbery cases in Pennsylvania are generally investigated by local police, with charges filed by the county district attorney once suspects are identified and apprehended.
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