5 In Criminal Organization Busted For Armed Robberies: Montco DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — Five suspects have been arrested and two more remain at-large and wanted by police following multiple armed robberies and an attempted kidnapping at a Norristown car dealership.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced the results of the months-long, multi-agency investigation into the incidents on Monday afternoon.

Authorities traced the suspects to a criminal organization that was behind at least three incidents at El Camino Motors — located on 747 E. Main Street in Norristown — the first of which occurred on April 30.

Two of the suspects - Damon Murphy, 32, and Rebecca Roman 28, both of Philadelphia - along with a third, unidentified suspect, held up the clerk at El Camino at gunpoint at around 8:05 p.m., authorities said.

The group came away with around $8,000 in cash, a wallet, an iPhone, and titles to 100 vehicles, according to the DA.

A second incident took place on July 18. Three men — Charlie Franco, 30, Eric Santana, 35, and Theophilus Berry, 31, all of of Philadelphia — returned to El Camino, the DA said. Brandishing semiautomatic weapons, they robbed an employee of $1,200, and then tried to force him into a waiting vehicle outside, according to police. The victim was able to escape, however.

Franco and Santana were arrested on July 24, which led to the final incident, on Aug. 1. Their associate Michael Dukes, 27, of Norristown phoned the victim who had escaped and who was still employed at El Camino motors and arranged to meet him, the DA said.

Police staked out the dealership. When Dukes arrived, he displayed a gun in his waistband, and told the victim he had to lie at the upcoming preliminary hearing for the pair, police said. Authorities moved in and took Dukes into custody.

The investigation continued. Police tracked down and arrested Murphy and Berry on Sept. 7.

Roman and another suspect, Calvin Berkins, 29, of Philadelphia, are the two that remain at large. Roman is Hispanic, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, and about 135 pounds. Berkins is black, has brown hair, brown eyes, and a short bushy beard. He is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and about 230 pounds, police said. Both should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information, call Norristown police at 610-270-0977.

Bail was set at $1 million for Murphy and Berry, and $500,000 for Franco, Dukes, and Santana. All five failed to post bail and were taken to Montgomery County Correctional Facility. All will face a preliminary hearing on Sept. 14.

Images via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. From top to bottom: Berkins, Berry, Dukes, Franco, Murphy, Roman, Santana.