Philadelphia police were asking for the public’s help and offering a reward to find a man caught on surveillance video shooting a Dunkin’ store manager to death during a robbery.
The man approached 40-year-old Christine Lugo around 5:23 a.m. Saturday as she was opening the store on the 500 block of W. Lehigh Avenue in the city’s Fairhill neighborhood, the Philadelphia Police Department said.
Surveillance video shows the man standing outside near the door before forcibly grabbing the woman, who police initially said was 41, and pushing her inside the store as he brandished a handgun. The video further shows him forcing her into the kitchen, then a storage room, where he makes her give him cash.
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Police said that after forcing Lugo to give him the money, the man shot her once in the head and fled. Lugo was declared dead at the scene.
The incident left many of the store's workers, as well as some regulars, stunned, and many were seen visiting the store in Lehigh Avenue to pay tribute to the slew manager.
"Thank God they got him on video, and I hope they catch him as soon as possible. It's not gonna get her back, but it's gonna give her family justice", said Nilsa Santiago, a regular who said she knew the victim well.
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For some employees, the manager's death leaves a void at their daily workplace.
"She gave us a lot of support when our mothers weren't there," said Marilen Rodríguez, who worked side by side with the victim.
The suspect is described as being in his late 30s to early 40s, with a medium-to-stocky build and a mustache and goatee. He was wearing a blue zipped-up hoodie, gray cargo sweatpants, light gray New Balance sneakers, blue gloves, a blue face mask and an analog watch on his right wrist.
Police are offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia police detective Grace at 215-686-3334. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477), texting PPDTIP (773847) or emailing tips@phillypolice.com.
