Man charged with two holdups in Somerton

Maybe David Minarczyk should have stuck to sticking up the CVS store on Bustleton Avenue in Somerton because, according to police, when he decided to rob an animal hospital down the street, he was arrested.

Police yesterday announced that they had charged Minarczyk, 46, of Philmont Avenue in Trevose, in connection with three holdups of the CVS Store at 15500 Bustleton and the attempted robbery of Radbill Animal Hospital at 11900 Bustleton.

Police said Minarczyk's streak began at 4:08 a.m. April 25, when he walked up to a store manager, produced a razor blade, and demanded money. The manager complied. On April 29, police said, he had a box cutter, and he made off with about $150. About 3:50 p.m. last Wednesday, police said, he approached the customer-service counter, told an employee he was armed, and escaped with about $470.

The streak, police said, ended about 6:15 p.m. Thursday. Police said Minarczyk was robbing the animal hospital at the same time that an off-duty police officer was nearby. Lt. Andrew Napoli of the department's Marine Unit heard an employee yell, "Help! We are being robbed!" and went to assist. He arrested the suspect after a brief struggle. Minarczyk was charged with multiple counts of robbery, aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, and other offenses. - Inquirer staff