‘I have a sick child,’ Philly robber pleads in demand note

Philly PD reports that a man robbed a West Oak Lane Rite Aid Jan. 3 because he has a sick child.

Inquirer.com reports that a little before noon, a man approached the cash register at the Rite Aid on the 7400 block of Ogontz Avenue, looking like he was going to make a purchase. The man handed the cashier a note, which partially read, “Give me all the money. I’m sorry, I have a sick child. You have 15 seconds.”

Philly police released surveillance footage, in which you can see the cashier placing an undisclosed amount of cash in a bag. The suspect leaves but returns and asks for more money. The cashier provided the suspect with more cash.

It was reported that the robber says thank you and left the store. No weapon was revealed during the robbery.

Officials have not disclosed how much money was taken from the store in total.

The suspect is described as 5-feet-10 and is somewhere between 30-40 years old. He was last wearing a gray hoodie, a baseball cap, black gloves and glasses. The suspect also had a mustache.

This is not the first incident like this to occur in the area. Inquirer.com reports that a similar robbery took place on July 8, at 1 Stop Smoke Shop on Verree Road near Red Lion Road in Bustleton.

A man held the cashier at gunpoint and made a worker open up the cash register. That suspect took the money but had a change of heart stating, “You know what, I’m not gonna do it to you, it’s not gonna help my daughter’s transplant.” He returned the cash and left the scene of the crime.

A spokeswoman told the police that the suspect in the smoke shop case is still at large.

At this time, it is not clear if either suspect actually has a sick child. 

Anyone with any knowledge of either of these crimes is urged to contact Philadelphia PD online at www.phillypolice.com/forms/submit-a-tip/