Armed thieves hit two convenience stores in 20 minutes: Police

Two convenience stores in Northeast Philly’s 15th District were stuck upwithin 20 minutes of each other by a trio of armed robbers early Sunday, police said.

Police said Sunday they believe the two robberies, of two7-Elevens, one in Holmesburg and one in Bridesburg, are re linked.

Both robberies involved three armed suspects.

The first incident was a 7-Eleven on Frankford Avenue near Rhawn Street.

A police report states a store clerk was pistol-whipped and punched repeatedly after three men entered the store around 1:25 a.m.

RELATED:Woman, 36, found dead in Staples bathroom

One suspect jumped over the counter, said, “Give me the money” and then “struck [the clerk] over the head several times with the gun knocking him to the ground,” according to the police report. Another suspect then allegedly punched the clerk in the head.

The trio got the victim back up and made him open the register, then took $150 in cash and an unknown quantity of cigarettes and fled. The cashier was later treated at Aria South Hospital for head pains.

One suspect was described as a black male, 5 foot 6, wearing a black hooded jacket and gloves, and the other two are described as wearing blue or black jackets.

RELATED: West Chester University student charged in parking garage rape

The second incident took place at 1:45 a.m. at a 7-Eleven about 4 miles south near Bridge and Thompson streets.

Again, one armedsuspect jumped over the counter and ordered the cashier to open the register. The suspects took $300 in cash, several boxes of Newport cigarettes and the cashier’s wallet, threw the items in a black trash bag and fled, according to police.

A witness identified the suspects’ vehicle as a red or maroon car, possibly a Honda, with a loud muffler, heading north to Interstate 95.

The suspects in the second robbery are described as three black males wearing ski masks, black hooded sweatshirts and gloves, and armed with a black handgun. One suspect is described as 6 feet tall, and the other two are described as being 5 foot 5 to 5 foot 6.

Anyone with any info about either robbery can call police at 215-686-TIPS or text a tip to PPDTIP (773847).