"Robbery Pattern" Developed After Bank, Laundromat Robbed In Mt. Airy Area: Police, FBI

The FBI and Philadelphia Police are looking for suspects involved in tow armed robberies that occurred just day apart on the same street in the Mt. Airy section of the city this, with one incident being a bank robbery.

According to police, the first incident occurred at 7:18 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Hong’s Laundromat at 6705 Chew Ave.

Police said three suspected entered the business and approached an employee demanding he open the business' office and once inside the suspects pulled a gun on the employee.

The suspects then demanded money and for the coin machines to be opened, police said.

After taking an undisclosed amount of money in cash and coins the suspects fled on foot in an unknown manner and direction. No injuries were reported nor were shots fired during this incident, police said.

During the crime, one suspect repeatedly referred to another suspect as "Green" police said.

Police describe the suspects as such:

• Black male, late teens to early 20s with a thin build, dark complected. He was wearing a black leather type jacket, dark ski mask, brown pants, and was armed with a handgun.
• Black male, 5 feet 7 inches, late teens to early 20s, with a medium build. He was wearing dark zip-up jacket, dark ski mask, and dark pants.
• Black male, late teens to early 20s with a medium complexion, athletic build, and had acne on his clean-shaven face. He wearing blue/gray hooded “denim sport” brand sweatshirt, dark pants, and brown boots.

Police and the FBI believe this incident is tied to a bank robbery that occurred Tuesday on Chew Avenue.

Police said at about 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2017, three subjects entered the Beneficial Bank branch located at 5301 Chew Ave.

One suspect with a gun ordered two employees to join him near the center of the bank, while two other suspects vaulted the counter and demanded money from tellers, police said.

The subjects fled the area of the bank on foot after taking an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

They met up with fourth suspect and headed west on Chew Avenue, then south on Church Lane, police said.

Police described these suspects as follows:

• Black male in his early 20’s, approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build, dark and complexion. He was wearing a dark winter jacket, dark hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, dark boots, black leather gloves, and a white scarf with holes in it across his face. He was armed with a handgun.
• Black male in his early 20s, approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches with a thin build, dark and complexion. He was wearing a gray suit jacket over a dark hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, dark knit hat, and dark boots. He was carrying a gray gym bag and armed with a handgun.
• Black male in his late teens, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall with a medium complexion. He was wearing a dark “puffer” jacket with the hood up, khaki cargo pants, dark knit hat, black gloves, brown boots, and a white mask across his face.
• The last suspect is an unknown black male.

Police said the public should not approach the suspects and should call 911 immediately if they are spotted.

Tips can be submitted by calling (215) 686-TIPS (8477) or texting tips to PPD TIP (773847).

You can also submit tips online here.

If you have any information about this crime or this suspect, please contact Northwest Detective Division (215) 686-3353 or (215) 686-3354.

Tips can also be made to the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force by calling (215) 418-4000 and use the case number MC #17-011 for reference.

All tips are confidential.

Watch the video below to see if you can identify the suspects: