Caught on Camera: Coffee Bandit Holds Up Wawa

Another Northeast Philadelphia Wawa was recently held up overnight, this time by a guy seemingly there to buy a cup of coffee.

The latest heist happened at the convenience store location at 7001 Roosevelt Boulevard in the Oxford Circle section of the city around 3:40 a.m. Friday.

Police released surveillance video Monday of a man with his face partially covered by a winter hat and dark turtle neck walking around in the Wawa store.

Police say the man grabbed a coffee and approached the counter seemingly to pay. After the clerk told the man the cost of the cup of joe, the suspect sated “damn that’s a lot” then placed his hand in his jacket, according to police Northeast Detectives.

The clerk told police that the man said “give me all the small bills!”

The clerk complied, handed over a handful of cash and the offender fled from the store headed towards Tyson Avenue, according to investigators.

Luckily no one was hurt.

Security was increased at another Oxford Circle Wawa store less than a mile away after a recent string of robberies at the Wawa at Bustleton Pike and Levick Street

The Bustleton Pike store was held up Jan. 15 by a man carrying a semi-automatic handgun. A $25,000 reward was offered in that case and others because since October that same store has been hit four other times by masked robbers.

An armed man, wearing a “Scream” mask like the one worn in the horror-movie franchise, entered the store on Nov. 26 and demanded money, according to Philadelphia Police. An employee handed over an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and the masked man fled from the store.

Police officers at that time told NBC10 that they believe this same suspect struck the store before -- captured on surveillance video.

The earlier thefts also featured masked robbers coming in between 3 to 4 a.m. and demanding money. In an Oct. 1 incident, two masked men burst into the store and made off with cash. Then, on Nov. 4 a masked man made off with cash from the register.

Finally, on Nov. 21, a man in a "Scream" masked burst in and demanded money.

A nearby Wawa store on Krewstown Road was also held up in late December.

It's unclear if all the thefts are connected.

Wawa says it has taken measure to try and prevent thefts at its stores: "The safety and security of our associates and customers is of utmost importance to us. Our priority is always to ensure the safety and security of our associates and our customers at this store, and we have been pursuing all avenues..."

Anyone with information should contact police and/or call Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153.

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