CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Knife-wielding robber attacks store owner

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A surveillance camera captured a knife-wielding robber committing a crime at a dry cleaners in Northeast Philadelphia.

Police are looking for the man they said went berserk and attacked the business owner.

Authorities said a man in a hooded sweatshirt armed with a large kitchen knife approached Kim and Arthur's Dry Cleaning on Oxford Avenue on September 8 around 4:20 p.m.

Philadelphia Police Lieutenant Dennis Rosenbaum said when the man pulled out the knife and demanded money, the wife tried to leave out the back of the store and the husband tried to leave from the front.

In the video, you can see the suspect drag the owner back into the store, throw him to the ground and begin to struggle with him. What you can't see is the man's wife trying to call 911.

But police said the suspect took her cell phone and fought with her before taking some cash from the register and taking off on foot.

"It's upsetting to see that," said Rosenbaum. "They've been in the community for so long and these businesses are needed in our communities."

Police said the victims, both in their 70's, were bruised but fine.

Detectives are looking for a black or Hispanic man in his early to mid 30's, approximately 5'9" to 5'11" with a stocky build.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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