Reward set in robberies

The 7-Eleven convenience store chain and local law enforcement officials are offering rewards for information that leads to the arrest of a group of men wanted for a series of armed robberies in South Jersey. In total, $7,500 has been made available.

The holdups in Camden and Burlington Counties began in December, when a Delanco 7-Eleven was robbed. The most recent case - an attempted robbery at a Shell gas station in Cinnaminson - took place Tuesday night.

"Investigators believe the eight incidents are connected due to similar types of clothing worn by the perpetrators in all the incidents," the Camden County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday. "The robbers wear masks and hoods in all the incidents, making identification difficult."

Some robberies were committed by one perpetrator, others by two or three. Half of the cases were committed at 7-Eleven stores.

In the most violent encounter, three men robbed Pennsauken 7-Eleven clerk Adil Boutahli on Jan. 10. One of the men shot Boutahli as he reached for an emergency button, the Prosecutor's Office said. The 28-year-old remains in critical condition at Cooper University Hospital.

Wasif "Zack" Mir said Boutahli, a Moroccan transplant, worked for him at Mir's former 7-Eleven in Glassboro for more than two years. "It's bad," Mir said of the robberies. "We have a family, too."

7-Eleven has pledged $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in the Pennsauken case. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office pledged an additional $2,500 Friday.

Days after Boutahli was shot, on Jan. 16, armed men held up two Mount Laurel 7-Eleven stores within minutes of each other.

Authorities ask anyone with information on the suspects to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Detective Vincent McCalla at 856-225-8569, or Pennsauken Police Detective Brian Polaski at 856-488-0080.

- Angelo Fichera