Trio sought in at least 7 robberies

Three men are being sought by police in a string of armed robberies in several neighborhoods over the weekend, police said.

Since Saturday the men have struck seven locations, including grocery stores, pizza shops and a gas station, police said.

Authorities also are investigating two other robberies - a home-invasion robbery on Cedar Avenue near Ann Street, in Port Richmond, and one on Whitaker Avenue near Wingohocking Street, in Feltonville - that may be connected to the trio.

The thugs made off with hundreds of dollars, mostly during evening and early morning robberies, said Sgt. Donna Bachmayer of East Detectives. In all the robberies, the suspects were armed with a knife and gun. She said at least one person sustained minor injuries.

Police believe that the trio is becoming more dangerous.

"Our concern is someone is going to get hurt," she said.

Surveillance video released by police shows the three men entering a Hess gas station, on Castor Avenue near Aramingo, within minutes of each other, Bachmayer said.

In the video, one of the robbers jumped over the counter and pointed a knife at an employee's neck while the second man pointed a gun at another cashier. The third suspect was not shown.

Another man, whom police referred to as a "person of interest" in the robberies, was seen in the video wearing a black jacket with the word "Scarface" on the front, she said.

Investigators said that he is not considered a suspect but may be a potential witness.

Police said that the men are Hispanic. One of them is described as 20 to 25 years old, 5 feet 9 and weighing 160 pounds. A tattoo in the shape of a circle was spotted on the right side of his neck. He was seen wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt with a black puffy vest.

A second man, also described as 20 to 25 years old and 5 feet 9, and weighing about 145 pounds, was seen wearing a long, black, down jacket and a hoodie with a skull on the front.

The third man is between 17 and 20 years old, 5 feet 8 and weighing 120 pounds. He was seen wearing a black bomber jacket with a fur collar and a black knit cap that he sometimes pulled over his face.

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to contact East Detectives at 215-686-3243, 3244. *