Pair sought in string of North Philadelphia robberies

Police are looking for two men believed to be responsible for a string of armed robberies in North Philadelphia over the past month.

Philadelphia police said seven armed robberies have been reported at convenience stores between Nov. 15 and Wednesday. The robbers appear to be targeting Hispanic-owned businesses in the area west of Temple University, police said, with the robberies generally occurring between 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

In the robberies, the masked, gloved men brandished handguns and threatened store employees before stealing cash and cigarettes, police said. Surveillance footage released Friday shows the pair pointing guns at the heads and backs of store employees during the stickups.

The two would then flee the scenes on foot.

Officials said robberies linked to the pair have been reported at the following locations:

- New Life Food Market, 2101 York St., on Nov. 15

- Jaer Grocery, 1262 N. 29th St., on Nov. 18

- North 19th Grocery, 1821 N. 19th St., on Nov. 19

- Perelta Grocery, 2938 Oxford St., on Nov. 26

- Rodriquez Grocery, 1350 N. 29th St., on Dec. 9

- Karen Mini Market, 1400 N. 30th St., on Dec. 12

- Torres Grocery, 1900 Ringgold St., on Dec. 17

Police didn't say how much cash or cigarettes the pair have taken in the robberies.

The bandits were described as two black men with medium builds who wore dark-colored sweatpants with reflective stripes on the legs, hooded Nike sweatshirts, gloves and masks.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call police at 215-686-8477 (TIPS). Tipsters can also send a text message to 773847 (PPDTIP).