The robbery of a Bala Cynwyd, Pa. cell phone store left City Avenue on lockdown and a police officer injured Thursday.
Two men ripped four smartphones from their displays inside the T-Mobile store at 25 W. City Avenue just after 11 a.m., according to Lower Merion Township Police.
As they ran from the store, the men were met by at least one police officer who quickly responded to the robbery-in-progress call.
One of the men got into an altercation with the officer, hitting him in the head and cutting his face, police said.
With that officer out of the way the two men then fled behind the store, with one jumping a fence.
Scores of police continued to descend on the area as the search for the men continued. Neighborhood streets were searched and busy City Avenue was closed to traffic as police searched for the men on the ground and from the sky.
Steven Mont, of Philadelphia, was arrested after being found hiding between two fences near the store. The second suspect was able to get away with the mobile phones, police say.
A T-Mobile employee says she couldn't believe how fast the entire robbery played out.
"It happened so quick, I really didn’t know what to think," employee Linette said.
The injured officer was taken to Lankenau Hospital. He was treated for cuts and is being tested for a concussion, police say.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen the second suspect to call them at 610.645.6270.
As for the phones, T-Mobile tells NBC Philadelphia they typically glue the phone SIM card enclosures shut, so it should prevent the suspect from being able to use the stolen devices.
