Gun-Toting Robbers Hold Up 5 Philly Shops, Restaurants

Detectives are searching for a brazen pair of robbers who are sticking up shops and restaurants in Southwest and West Philadelphia at gunpoint.

Five robberies have taken place over the past week, with three of them happening on Thursday night, Philadelphia Police say. All were captured by

The first hold up was at the Subway shop at 5601 Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia just before 6 p.m. on Jan. 18. The men, accompanied by two women, walked inside the restaurant, pulled out a gun and demanded money. The suspects then grabbed the cash from the register and ran.

Several hours later, the same men demanded money at the Hibachi Grill at 3000 Island Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia, police said. The robbery took place as staff and diners walked around inside.

On Thursday, one of the suspects went into the Golden Star pizza shop at 4627 Woodland Avenue in West Philadelphia around 10:30 p.m. and started asking about the menu.

Police say the man then told the worker "I am not about to lie to you! I am about to rob you" and then pulled out a handgun. When the worker said the store did not have any cash, the man ran out empty handed.

About 15 minutes later, police say the same man pointed a gun at the clerk inside the Garden Court Deli at 4725 Pine Street. The man shouted "give me the money," but when the woman behind the counter screamed, the man ran without the cash, police said.

At 11:17 p.m., about 30 minutes later, the suspect and the second man held up Stacey's Pizza at 4201 Market Street. This time the suspect walked in with the gun drawn and demanded cash. Once the register was opened, they took the cash from inside and ran.

Detectives believe both men are in their late teens, with thin builds and between 5-foot-4-inches and 5-foot-9-inches.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Philadelphia Police tipline at 215.686.TIPS.

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