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Caught on Cam: Military-Style Weapon Used in Philly Corner Store Robbery

A masked man was caught on surveillance video robbing a local store while carrying a military-style weapon so large that the owner didn’t even think the gun was real at first.

“When he put it to my forehead, I said ‘stop playing with me,’” said Mario Lora, the owner of Clearfield Food Market on the 2400 block of Clearfield Street. “I thought it was somebody from the hood playing with me.” 

The gunman and another accomplice entered Lora’s store just before it closed back on Jan. 22 and demanded money. While Lora initially thought the whole thing was a joke, he quickly learned it was no laughing matter when the robbers ordered his friend to drop to the floor.

“I put my hand up so they took the money, put my friend down on the floor and that’s it,” Lora said. “When he was shaking I said, ‘okay, he’s not playing,’ because he started shaking and you see somebody shaking like they’re nervous. I can get shot. Worried for my life, I said, ‘okay, go ahead.’”

The two men stole $500 in cash and fled the scene. Lora told NBC10 he tried to chase after them but they were able to escape.

No one was hurt during the incident. Since the robbery, Lora says he’s been closing his store a little earlier and is more guarded about everyone who walks in.

The first suspect, who police say was carrying a black AR-15 style rifle, is described as a thin man between the ages of 19 and 20 standing 5-foot-11. He was last seen wearing a black ski mask, orange hooded sweatshirt, black jacket and tan pants.

The second suspect is described as a medium-built man between the ages of 19 and 20, wearing a black ski mask and all dark clothing.

If you have any information on the robbery or the suspects’ whereabouts, please call the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093/3094.
 

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