Armed woman sought in serial robberies in South, Southwest Philadelphia

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are searching for a woman wanted for several armed robberies and authorities believe the female suspect was recruited by a man to commit the crimes.

Sometimes armed with a large knife, other times with a handgun - the female suspect moved fast.

Investigators say surveillance cameras at stores in Point Breeze, Kingsessing and Southwest Philadelphia captured the same female robber wearing a gray hoodie and a dark mask, running in, threatening clerks and demanding money.

Click to watch surveillance video from Philadelphia Police

"We're just concerned that the more desperate people get, they can get more aggressive and especially this time of the year as we head toward the holidays," said Lt. John Walker, Philadelphia Police.

The first robbery happened October 3rd at a 7-Eleven convenience store at 21st and Lombard streets just after midnight.

A week later on October 10th around 12:17 p.m., a 16 year-old female was walking on the 5900 block of Greenway Avenue when she was approached by the alleged bandit.

Later that day the suspect struck Angela's Mini Market on the 5700 block of Chester Avenue. The same store was hit again on October 20th.

A 15-year-old girl was working the register at Angela's Market when the store was hit both times.

"I couldn't even breathe, when she left that's when I started breathing. I think she's just greedy, she's just trying to take people's money away," she said.

Also on October 20th, police say the suspect robbed S&P Grocery on the 6000 block of Kingsessing Avenue.

The most recent robbery happened around 1:00 p.m. on November 3rd at the 58th Street Market.

Detectives say they identified an accomplice - 30-year-old Antwan Burgess of 21st and Catherine streets. They believe he is the possible crime spree mastermind who could be been seen on video giving the woman instructions before one of the robberies.

"You can see in the videos that she appears kind of shaky and nervous in all these robberies. This male is going to be a person of interest in the other six jobs that we have. We're looking for the public's help in getting Mr. Burgess into custody," said Lt. Walker.

Investigators believe nabbing the man who may be the boyfriend of the robber will lead them to the woman whose been terrorizing so many businesses.

Police say no one was injured in any of the robberies.

The female suspect is described as having a raspy voice. She got away with a total of about $1,700 from four businesses and in one of the incidents she and the male accomplice got away in a Town and Country minivan.