Saturday, December 11, two stores in Chestnut Hill were held up by a man who said he had a gun. No one was hurt in either incident and the man was not caught. Witnesses never saw a gun.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Two stores in Chestnut Hill were held up by a man who said he had a gun last Saturday, and the perpetrator made off with $5,000 cash. No one was hurt in either incident and the man was not caught. Witnesses never saw a gun.
According to the Police Department, a robber entered the Fresh Market at 8208 Germantown Ave. at 1:10 p.m. on Dec. 11, grabbed one person and said “Don’t move, don’t scream, I’m going to rob the store.” This person managed to break away and run. The perpetrator then grabbed an employee by the front entrance and forced her to the manager’s office, saying “I have a gun, get me in the safe. I’m robbing the store.” However, when they entered the office, there was someone already in there and the robber fled on foot. He was last seen heading south on Germantown Ave.
Then, at 1:32 p.m, a robber entered the CVS at 7700 Germantown Ave., told the clerk he had a gun and demanded that the register and the safe be opened. He left with $5,000 cash.
In neither case was a gun seen by witnesses, and it is not certain that the robberies were committed by the same person.
The CVS has provided the police with a security camera photo of a black male, approximately 5’5”, with a black facemask, hat, and backpack. The Local tried to obtain the photo, but the property owner, Richard Maloumian Jr., would not release it, saying the assailant was too disguised to show anything useful.
The Chestnut Hill Business District sent out text alerts about both the Fresh Market and the CVS incidents to members along the businesses corridor.
Beth Milley, owner of villa villa kulla, said on Tuesday that a number of store owners are rattled by the news, and have been recently concerned about an overall drop in police presence.
“In past years we’d see police around a lot more,” she said. “It’s undeniable that there is a crime wave going on in this city. And we are part of the city.”
There have been a number of local robberies reported during the Christmas season, typically involving shoplifting or thefts from motor vehicles. None have included threats with a gun.
Philip Dawson, Executive Director of the CHBD, said crime has generally not been a problem on the avenue. “We're pleased that this holiday season has on the whole been safe and pleasant for businesses and visitors, and we regularly communicate with the 14th District to ensure that the business corridor has an adequate police presence,” he said.
