Man Sentenced For Robbing Domino’s In Willow Grove

A 41-year-old man was sentenced to state prison this week for a series of robberies in three counties last fall, including one at a Willow Grove Domino's Pizza. Peter James Harkins III of Phoenixville pleaded guilty to the robberies that occurred over three days in October. He will serve five to 12 years.

Harkins admitted robbing a Pizza Hut in Phoenixville, Chester County; a Domino’s Pizza in Willow Grove, Montgomery County; and a Santander Bank branch in Bensalem, Bucks County.

According to authorities, Harkins robbed the Pizza Hut on Nutt Road in Phoenixville on Oct. 29, taking more than $200 by pointing his covered hand at an employee, who believed he had a gun.

Then on Oct. 30, Harkins robbed the Domino’s Pizza on Easton Road in Willow Grove, again wrapping an object in his hand and pointing it at an employee. He stole $99.51 during that robbery.

On Oct. 31, Harkins robbed the Santander Bank brand at 1425 Street Road in Bensalem. He demanded cash and pointed what the bank teller thought was a wrapped gun.

Harkins was arrested a week later, telling detectives he had used the stolen money to buy drugs. He denied using a gun in any of the robberies. He said it was a ratchet strap handle or a banana that he used during the robberies and he wrapped them to look like a weapon.

It is the second time Harkins was sent to state prison for robbery. In 2006 he received concurrent one- to two-year sentences for two robberies in Montgomery County.

Harkins’ “behavior has now escalated,” Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Antonetta Stancu said during his sentencing. “The court should consider not only the escalation of the conduct, but the number of incidents and the severity of the conduct.”

Image via Bucks Co DA