Police search for armed men after Avis car robbery at airport

PHILADELPHIA, PA (WTXF) - Police are searching for four armed suspects who they say stole five cars at the Avis Car Rental lot at the Philadelphia International Airport early Friday morning.

It happened right after 4 a.m. Friday.

Investigators say the suspects approached the lone car lot attendant at a booth by the front gate, showed him a gun, then punched him in the face.

According to police, the armed robbers parked a car on treads designed to stop car thefts and quickly drove off with the stolen cars. One got left behind and another was recovered in a Center City alley hours later.

Police sources say this could be the work of the 2-3-4 gang out of 24th and Dickinson in South Philly. Investigators dusted a car for fingerprints and checked surveillance cameras which blanket the area. A source says there is video of the suspects and the stolen vehicles.

A second car was also recovered. No suspects have been named. Police say there have been several rental car rip-offs like this in recent months at the airport. Those cars may have been sold on the black market or just dumped elsewhere in the city.