Philly-area cops seek rash of bank robbery suspects

Police in the Philadelphia area are on alert for a rash of suspects who have held up local banks in the past few days.

Since Sunday, at least four heists have been reported in the Philadelphia region, from Cheltenham Township to Camden.

The string of heists began Sunday, when a man held up a Citizens Bank branch at the Cedarbrook Plaza on Easton Road in Cheltenham Township shortly before 1 p.m.

Police say the suspect gave the teller a note implying he was armed, and the clerk handed over a bag of money with a dyepack. The pack exploded as the bandit left the bank; he dropped the bag and fled, authorities said.

Then, on Monday, a bank robber took off with more than $10,000 from an Overbrook Park Police and Fire Credit Union.

Authorities say the suspect handed over a demand note at about 1 p.m. at the bank on City Avenue and 76th Street and fled on foot after obtaining cash.

Later Monday, at about 3:15 p.m., an armed man held up a Sovereign Bank branch on the 100 block of Berlin Road in Clemonton.

The Camden County Prosecutor's Office says the suspect brandished a pistol and demanded cash. He fled in a getaway car after receiving money.

The rash of robberies continued Tuesday, another heist occurred in Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia, a 27-year-old man suspected in at least three other area bank robberies held up a Citizens Bank branch kn the 6300 block of Stenton Avenue at about 12:15 p.m., according to the FBI.

The FBI says Carl Goodwin gave the clerk a demand note, obtained cash and fled from the branch on foot. Officials say Goodwin escaped from a federal halfway house in Philadelphia last month and is considered armed and dangerous.

He is also wanted for a June 20 robbery at the same Citizens Bank branch that was robbed Tuesday, a June 21 robbery at a Bank of America on the 3700 block of Aramingo Avenue, a June 24 heist at a Beneficial Bank on the 5300 block of Chew Avenue and a June 17 armed robbery at a Dunkin Donuts on the 3700 block of Germantown Avenue.

Here are descriptions of the suspects:

The Cheltenham Township robber is described as black, 18 to 24 years old and 160 pounds. He had a beard, tattoos on his left arm, a bandage on his right arm and hand and a glove. He was wearing a white baseball hat, black t-shirt, light-colored shorts and headphones. He was seen at a nearby Wal-Mart and Modell's purchasing the bandage, sneakers and hat shortly before the heist. Tipsters can call 215-885-1600, extension 499 or extension 777.

The City Avenue credit union robber is described as black with a medium build, 6 feet 2 inches tall and having acne on his face. He was wearing a black knit hat, black sweater and blue jeans. Tipsters can call 215-686-8477 or send a text message to 773847.

The Camden County suspect is described as black with a medium complexion, 25 to 35 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall and thin. He wore a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and fake beard. Tipsters can call 856-225-8400 or 856-783-2271.

Goodwin, wanted in the four bank heists and donut shop robbery, is described as black, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 150 pounds. Tipsters can call 215-418-4000.

Police also nabbed a suspect in a Friday Burlington County bank robbery on Tuesday. Mandel Aikens, a 26-year-old from Atlantic City, was apprehended for allegedly robbing a Fulton Bank of New Jersey on the 1300 block of Route 38.