Gunman arrested in robbery of Hymies Restaurant in Merion

A 40-year-old Philadelphia man has been arrested and charged with the July 14 armed robbery of Hymie's Restaurant, a well-known deli in Merion Station.

Lower Merion Township police identified the suspect as Michael Shawn Schaefer.

Schaefer, whose last known address is unclear, was apprehended July 24 by city and suburban police in the area of S. Fairhill Street in Philadelphia, according to Tom Walsh, the township's spokesman.

On July 14 at 9:03 p.m., four armed robbers entered the restaurant on Montgomery Avenue and ordered everyone there to the front of the store, Walsh said.

The deli's patrons and employees were ordered by the robbers to turn over their cell phones and wallets; the manager was told to open the cash register and surrender the cash.

The suspects ran out the back door and fled the area. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

Police were summoned by an employees who managed to break away quietly and call them, but by the time officers arrived, the robbers were gone.

Lower Merion and Philadelphia police began investigating, and that probe led to the arrest of Schaefer, Walsh said. Three others are still being sought.

Schaefer was arraigned July 25 by District Justice Karen Zucker and bail was set at $500,000 cash.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for noon today in Bala Cynwyd.

Contact Bonnie L. Cook at 610-313-8232 or bcook@phillynews.com.