3 Busted For Series Of Montco, Chesco Robberies: Cops

WEST WHITELAND, PA — Three Chester County men are behind bars after a series of robberies and thefts from convenience stores throughout both Chester and Montgomery Counties, the West Whiteland Police Department said Friday afternoon.

Incidents occurred at the Turkey Hill in Downingtown, the Wawa in West Whiteland, and a Wawa in Upper Providence Township, police said.

Turkey Hill in Downingtown

On May 25, at around 9:57 p.m., Steven Crews, 20, of Coatesville, entered the Turkey Hill in Downingtown, police said. He was accompanied by Milton Hearns, 22, of Downingtown, and Shawn King, 18, of Exton.

Crews was armed with a black handgun and ordered employees to remove money from the store safe.

When employees said they were unable to open the safe, he fled the scene, police said.

Wawa in West Whiteland

About an hour later, the trio entered the Wawa in West Whiteland, again bearing the handgun, police said. Crews ordered employees to turn move over the cash register and safe, according to authorities.

He left the scene with $1,300 on cash, fleeing on foot.

Wawa in Upper Providence

At 2:30 a.m on May 26, the robbers hit the Wawa in Upper Providence, making off with an undetermined amount of cash. Four suspects were taken into custody nearby after a traffic stop, police said, including Hearns Crews.

King was charged later and turned himself in on May 31.

They face charges of robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, and related crimes.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 12.

Images via West Whiteland Police