Surveillance cameras capture knifepoint robbery at Dunkin' Donuts

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - As surveillance cameras rolled, customers and employees jumped out of the way when a knife-wielding robber jumped the counter at the Dunkin' Donuts on Girard Avenue and terrorized the place.

"Come on now. God forbid. They could have really got hurt. I'm still in shock," customer Annette Rodriguez told FOX 29.

"We have been seeing an up tick in knifepoint robberies of convenience stores," Philadelphia Police Captain Sekou Kinebrew said.

It happened Wednesday just before noon in the 900 block of West Girard as the suspect announced a robbery and then ripped open two cash register draws after frightened employees refused to help, according to police.

"Threatening the employees with the knife so they back off. Thankfully, so they're not hurt in this encounter," the captain explained.

This is the latest knifepoint armed robbery in the area in recent weeks. Police have already connected seven robberies to one suspect. Now, they're trying to determine if this latest stick up is also linked.

"We're still trying to put together to see if this male or he other male fits the profile of the ones that we have surveillance video and stills in the area," Captain Kinebrew explained.

In the latest robbery, the suspect was also caught on camera disposing of the clothes and a mask he wore in the robbery. He was then picked up on surveillance cameras in a local convenience store with another man, then entering a maroon Ford Expedition with black rims, police say.

"We want to definitely get the one guy. We didn't obscure the face of the second male too because we want to know who he is. He's clearly with the person who committed the robbery," Captain Kinebrew said.