Two armed men robbed Hatboro Smoke Shop on York Road shortly before 10:30 p.m. Monday, escaping with several hundred dollars. Hatboro police are asking the public to review surveillance images and contact detectives with tips.
Police said the suspects threatened the employee inside the store.
Hatboro Police Chief Mark Ruegg said one of the men pulled out a gun.
“Luckily, in this case, the clerk complied; he gave him the money. Didn’t offer any resistance, and after gathering the money, both suspects left,” Ruegg said.
The two males were wearing all black, according to police.
Police said the suspects left with several hundred dollars before officers arrived.
Detectives tracked the two men walking several blocks west on Moreland Avenue before losing sight of them, according to police.
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, and certainly we don’t want to see anything happen again or have these 2 suspects escalate their behavior,” Ruegg said.
Investigators consider the suspects armed and dangerous.
“We’ll hunt them down until they’re behind bars,” Ruegg said.
Christine Wilson lives nearby.
“I was walking by when the robbery occurred,” Wilson said. “I saw the police here. They said you can’t go into the store.”
Residents said they were surprised by the incident.
“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 Hatboro area.
“We want to enjoy our community, enjoy our day, and not have to worry about stuff like this, so it’s sad,” Coleman said.
Anyone with information about the suspects’ identities or whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Dilks at 215-675-2832 or cdilks@hatboropolice.org.
No arrests had been announced as of Tuesday.
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