A masked man robbed the Green Line Cafe in Powelton at gunpoint yesterday. The robbery is the second at a Green Line in the past week.
Police said the man entered the cafe on Lancaster Avenue near 36th Street at about 4:20 p.m. and fled on foot with about $500. The man is described as white, about 5’10” and wearing a grey hoodie, philly.com reported.
Police say the description is similar to the person who robbed the Green Line at 45th and Locust on April 25. Police confirmed that a suspect was detained and later released. No arrests have been made.
(h/t Daily News)
May 1st, 2012 at 9:13 am
definitely sounds like the same guy. I hope they catch him soon!!
May 1st, 2012 at 9:13 am
4:20 in the afternoon. sheesh.
May 1st, 2012 at 9:33 am
If it is the same place it seems like a long way for a robber to travel; I mean there are so many other places around the area that he could hit first. My guess is that he targeted those places because he had been able to sit in there a while and watch how they operate. Also, he knows they aren’t going to have shotguns behind the counter like the average corner deli.
I hope Green Line can find some ways to protect themselves and their business. I worked at a cafe and small store in my college days, and we both had floor safes where you could drop money in but only the manager could open it. So when we got a couple hundred bucks we could move it out of the register. I wouldn’t want them to publicize their technique for handling money, but I hope they come up with something safe. And get a couple of wireless cameras!
May 1st, 2012 at 9:38 am
According to Philly.com: “The suspect in Monday’s robbery is likely the same man who robbed a Green Line Café on Locust Street near 45th on Thursday, said Lt. John Walker of the Southwest Detective Division.” Disgruntled ex-employee?
May 1st, 2012 at 9:49 am
yes, wireless cameras! And something on the door that makes it obvious that this place has surveillance. I feel like all cash businesses in our neighborhood should adopt that policy with lunatics like this robber roaming around. I hope he is caught soon, this is becoming a disturbing trend.
May 1st, 2012 at 10:22 am
my question is how much money can a robber expect to walk away with from a coffee shop? is it seriously worth doing time for armed robbery, and whatever other very serious charges apply, to get your hands on at most $500 or $600. this person is obviously not a professional criminal. i hope he’s caught. and i pray to God that he doesn’t have any bullets in that gun.
May 1st, 2012 at 10:39 am
inside job?
May 1st, 2012 at 10:41 am
Let’s say when he’s caught he does 5 years. I am just picking that number randomly. It could be he does more since it was two armed robberies. But at $500 for 5 years he basically “scored” a $100 a year wage. That’s less than $0.05 an hour. I’m normally not the guy to use this tired phrase but this guy should get a job, any job, because it will pay better. Idiot is throwing his life away and risking the lives others. I wouldn’t be surprised if he lives within 2 miles of the Green Lines.
May 1st, 2012 at 11:43 am
Probably an addict
May 1st, 2012 at 10:44 pm
This is such a weird story.