Robbed of his own gun, Philly bandit returns with accomplice

A persistent gunman targeted one unfortunate East Oak Lane Family Dollar store twice in as many days. In the first incident, an employee wrestled the weapon from the would-be bandit. The second time, store staffers weren't so lucky.

Both crimes were caught on surveillance camera. Police released the footage Thursday.

Investigators said during the first incident, which happened last Friday around 9:15 p.m., the suspect entered the store at 6337 N. Broad St. and waited for the other customers to leave. He then pulled out a gun and demanded money from the cashier.

When the worker opened the register, the suspect reached into the drawer and tried to snatch some cash. But the employee made a daring grab of his own, taking ahold of the man's gun.

The disarmed bandit fled on foot empty-handed, running south on Broad Street. He is described as a black male, about  140- to 160-pound and about 35 years old.

Police said the same man returned to the store two days later, this time accompanied by an accomplice. The suspect again leveled a handgun at the cashier and demanded money as the second man kept watch at the front door.

This time, the gunman allegedly took $142 from the cash register drawer and forced the employee to fill a bag with 40 packs of Newport cigarettes with an estimated value of $224. Both suspects fled on foot and were last seen running south on Broad Street.

The alleged lookout is described as a black male about 5-foot-9,, 170- to 180-pounds and about 25 years of age.

Anyone with information on either of the crimes is asked to contact the Northwest Detectives Division at 215-686-3354 or 3354, or to submit an anonymous tip by dialing 215-686-TIPS (8477) or by texting PPD TIP (773847).