Police: Suspect Sought In 2 Armed Robberies In West Philadelphia

By Rahel Solomon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Police are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect in two armed robberies in West Philadelphia.

The first happened on Halloween night around 8:20 p.m. inside of a Chinese restaurant on the 300 block of N. 52nd St.

Surveillance shows the suspect approach the victim as he's trying to leave the restaurant. Police say the victim first refused to hand over his money but was then hit in the head with a handgun. The suspect made off with about $400.

The second incident happened several hours later at about 3 a.m. outside the Sunoco mini-mart on 46th and Walnut. Surveillance shows the suspect and another man stay near the soda machine as the store clears out. Police say the suspect threatens to hit the victim with his gun if he didn't give him money.

"Just targeting people who are customers in stores, in one case it's a worker, who works in the area, in the other it's a male who resides in the area and just threatening them with a gun and striking our one victim in the face," said Lt. John Walker, "So we know he's out there, he's pretty visible, the images are very good and were asking for the public's help calling our tip line 215-686-TIPS on any information they have on this offender."

Police say the victim who was stuck in the face only had minor injuries.