18-year-old Gene "Ray" Kulp and 21-year-old Michael Anthony Creciun have been charged with Robbery, Conspiracy, Theft by Unlawful Taking, Simple Assault, and related offenses.
The incident took place at approximately 9:08 a.m. Monday at Hen's Coins located on the 300 block of West Main Street.
The 77-year-old owner told police a young male, later identified as Kulp, entered the store and inquired about a coin in a display case.
Police say the owner began unlocking the display case when Kulp grabbed him from behind and began choking him.
Kulp then dragged the owner by the neck into an office in the back of the store.
At that same time, a second male, later identified as Creciun, entered the store.
The owner told police that Creciun pulled out a knife and told the owner they did not want to kill an old man.
While Creciun stood guard over the owner, Kulp went back to the front of the store where he began to take items.
After approximately five minutes, the cousins left the store through the front door at which time the owner activated the holdup alarm.
The owner suffered injuries to his ear and neck.
A black Miami Marlins baseball cap worn by Kulp was found at the scene and was matched to video surveillance footage from a nearby business that showed two males matching the description of both suspects on Wood Street walking towards Main Street just before the robbery took place.
When investigators viewed the video, they recognized Creciun who they have had past contacts with.
Another local business provided video from their surveillance cameras that showed the cousins fleeing the scene carrying items.
On Tuesday, the owner was shown a suspect photograph lineup where he identified Creciun as the actor with the knife.
Approximately one hour later, Creciun entered the Lansdale Police Station to fill out a gun permit application.
Creciun was taken into custody and admitted to his role in the robbery.
He also stated that some of the stolen merchandise was at his residence.
While at the police station, Creciun received calls from a person identified only as "Ray".
At approx 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, detectives and patrol officers served a search warrant and recovered some of stolen property from inside Cerium's bedroom.
While at the residence, it was discovered that "Ray" was a cousin of Creciun's.
As officers were searching the residence, Kulp arrived home and spoke to police admitting his involvement in the robbery.
It was discovered that Creciun had planned the robbery for weeks.
Police say after committing the robbery, both suspects traveled to the Acme on West Main Street in Towamencin Township where they cashed in several hundred dollars in stolen quarters, half dollars and silver dollars using a Coin Star machine.
Creciun was held on a $50,000 cash bail and Kulp was given $25,000 bail.
Both suspects were taken to Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post bail.
A preliminary hearing date is pending.
