Police Release Surveillance Video Of 3 Suspects Wanted In Armed Robberies Of Chipotle, Popeyes Restaurants
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The manhunt is on for several suspects in connection with a fast food robbery spree. Police say they are armed and dangerous.
On Tuesday, police released surveillance video of three suspects wanted in the armed robbery of a Chipotle restaurant, which investigators believe is connected to two armed robberies at nearby Popeyes restaurants.
They're well coordinated, their timing is precise and these robbers prey upon fast food workers taking out the trash.
Now, Philadelphia police are concerned the trio of criminals may turn violent with little warning.
"I'm just worried about that one situation where an employee comes walking out, doesn't know what's going on and spooks them, or a cop walks in. You don't know what's going to happen and that's why they're escalating, they're moving fast. We want to get them off the street," Philadelphia Police Lieutenant Dennis Rosenbaum said.
The Popeyes at 4500 Castor Avenue was the scene of the first robbery. The following night, they robbed the same fast food chain, but this time the location at 500 Adams was hit.
And then on Monday night, police believe the robbers were set to move in on yet another Popeyes, but instead chose a Chipotle.
"It turns out one of the Chipotle employees came out to bring out the trash and left the door open. At that point, the males ran in there," Rosenbaum said. "We think they were probably gonna hit the Popeyes."
Police say the suspects made off with $4,000. A Chipotle manager spoke with reporters, indicating his workers were doing just fine.
"They were all shaken up but they're all strong," manager Joshua Canlas said. "They did it smartly, they were all calm and nothing happened to them."
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In the three robberies, police say they see the same timeline and the same M.O. connected to each of the cases.
Police say fast food workers should be on alert, and they are asking the public to "study" the video.
