http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/p...0351/1006/NEWS
Robbers armed with scalding cups of coffee are making the rounds in three states, splashing convenience store clerks in the face before making off with cash.
This week, police linked 15 robberies involving hot coffee in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Bucks and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania, as well as in Wilmington.
All the crimes took place early in the morning, primarily at 7-Eleven and Wawa convenience stores. The incidents began Feb. 7 in Clementon, N.J. The last was reported Feb. 13 at a Wawa in South Philadelphia. Investigators are studying surveillance videos for leads.
About 3:15 a.m. Feb. 10, three men in their 20s walked into the 7-Eleven at 1801 Pennsylvania Ave. in Wilmington, and one of the men grabbed a cup of coffee, city police said.
When the men approached the counter, the one with the coffee threw it into the clerk's face when the register was open. They then grabbed cash and ran off.
Wilmington police expect to make the surveillance video public after it is viewed by detectives, said Master Sgt. Steven Elliott. "A robbery of this type is very rare."
The 49-year-old clerk was treated for facial burns at St. Francis hospital. The store manager on duty that night referred inquiries to 7-Eleven's corporate headquarters. He did, however, say that the woman working that night was "fine."
Wawa and 7-Eleven are each offering $5,000 rewards for the arrest and conviction of those involved.
"This is rare," 7-Eleven company spokeswoman Margaret Chabris said of the crime. "This is the first time I can recall somebody doing this. What's even more rare is that from police reports, it's widespread over three states. We don't know if it's the same people committing these crimes or copycats."
In most of the out-of-state holdups, only two robbers were involved.
i thought this was appropriate for the forum given the conspicuous LACK of firearms involved. oh, the lengths to which they'll go to ply their trade.
Robbers armed with scalding cups of coffee are making the rounds in three states, splashing convenience store clerks in the face before making off with cash.
This week, police linked 15 robberies involving hot coffee in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Bucks and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania, as well as in Wilmington.
All the crimes took place early in the morning, primarily at 7-Eleven and Wawa convenience stores. The incidents began Feb. 7 in Clementon, N.J. The last was reported Feb. 13 at a Wawa in South Philadelphia. Investigators are studying surveillance videos for leads.
About 3:15 a.m. Feb. 10, three men in their 20s walked into the 7-Eleven at 1801 Pennsylvania Ave. in Wilmington, and one of the men grabbed a cup of coffee, city police said.
When the men approached the counter, the one with the coffee threw it into the clerk's face when the register was open. They then grabbed cash and ran off.
Wilmington police expect to make the surveillance video public after it is viewed by detectives, said Master Sgt. Steven Elliott. "A robbery of this type is very rare."
The 49-year-old clerk was treated for facial burns at St. Francis hospital. The store manager on duty that night referred inquiries to 7-Eleven's corporate headquarters. He did, however, say that the woman working that night was "fine."
Wawa and 7-Eleven are each offering $5,000 rewards for the arrest and conviction of those involved.
"This is rare," 7-Eleven company spokeswoman Margaret Chabris said of the crime. "This is the first time I can recall somebody doing this. What's even more rare is that from police reports, it's widespread over three states. We don't know if it's the same people committing these crimes or copycats."
In most of the out-of-state holdups, only two robbers were involved.
i thought this was appropriate for the forum given the conspicuous LACK of firearms involved. oh, the lengths to which they'll go to ply their trade.
