Did Serial bandit strike again?

MORRISVILLE, Pa. - April 29, 2008

The armed, masked man stole an undisclosed amount of money from the store at the Pennsbury Plaza Shopping Center in Morrisville. No one was hurt.

There have been a number of recent robberies at wine and spirit stores in lower Bucks County and Northeast Philadelphia.

A Subway restaurant was hit at 10:00 Friday night on East Street Road in Feasterville.

The bandit, wearing a mask and wielding a gun, held up the restaurant, tied up the employees and made his getaway.

Authorities think he is the same bandit who has been terrorizing small businesses in parts of Philadelphia and Bucks County for several months, including several times just this week.

Under the shadow of the St. Michael's Church bell towers on North 2nd Street in West Kensington, a mom and pop pizza parlor trying to stay in business during hard economic times was hit by the notorious masked armed bandit.

"He must have been watching the place or something. As soon as he saw there was a break, he walked in, pulled a gun on everybody, grabbed the money and left," said Ivan Gonzales.

The gun-toting bandit, known for wearing a blue or black face mask and hoodie, also struck Marie's Hair Salon in the 2500 block of Clearfield in Port Richmond.

"He put the box over the counter and asked for the money, and after he got the money he told everyone to turn around and walk to the back. It was really scary," said Joan Stendardo.

A wine and spirt store in the eleven-thousand block of Bustleton was hit on Thursday night. He made off with a large amount of cash.

"The defendant ordered the male to open the safe and took over five thousand dollars in cash," said Sgt. Joseph Gendele.

Police say the guy is a real menace, striking at least 14 businesses since December. He apparently doesn't discriminate, striking retail chains like Rite Aid, The Dollar Store and AutoZone, as well as liquor stores and family-run businesses.

He has struck in Northeast Philadelphia, Port Richmond, Torresdale, and West Kensington in Philadelphia, and Bristol Township and Penndel in Bucks County.

"So far nobody has gotten hurt which is good, but we don't want anybody hurt," said Gindele.

Police describe the bandit as a Caucasian or Hispanic male, early 20's with a thin build, about 120 to 140 pounds, 5'3 to 5'9" tall, wearing a black hoodie and a black or blue face mask.

If anyone has information on his identity or whereabouts, you're being asked to call 911.

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