Two armed men robbed a smoke shop in Hatboro late Monday night, and borough police are asking for the public’s help identifying the suspects. Investigators released surveillance video of the robbery and described both suspects as armed and dangerous.
Chief Mark Ruegg of the Hatboro Police Department said one of the men pulled a gun on the clerk after the employee asked both suspects to remove their masks.
“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.
Police said the robbery happened at Hatboro Smoke Shop on York Road shortly before 10:30 p.m.
The suspects were wearing all black, according to police.
They left with several hundred dollars before officers arrived at the scene, police said.
No arrests had been announced as of the release of the surveillance images.
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.
“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.
Detectives tracked the suspects walking several blocks west on Moreland Avenue before losing sight of them, according to police.
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.”
Wilson said she was surprised by what happened.
“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 for 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 investigators will continue pursuing the two men.
“We’ll hunt them down until they’re behind bars,” Ruegg said.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant Dilks at 215-675-2832 or cdilks@hatboropolice.org.
The borough of Hatboro sits in Montgomery County, where armed robbery cases are handled by local detectives working with the district attorney’s office once a suspect is identified and charges are filed.
Leave a Reply