Northwest Philadelphia hit by robbery spree

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Thieves on a robbery spree are targeting the northwestern parts of Philadelphia.

Police say they've connected five recent crimes and, in many cases, the suspects pointed guns at their victims' heads.

Among the locations hit was Frank's Bar on the 4200 block of North 15th Street.

Surveillance video of the robbery shows a suspect meticulously going around, gathering cell phones and other valuables.

The robbery startled patrons and employees.

"I was devastated, angry and hurt," said owner Frank Wade.

Wade was not at his bar in the early morning hours, but he says his surveillance cameras captured more than one person casing his establishment.

"Just glad no one got hurt, so that was the blessed thing right there, that no one got hurt," said Wade.

Police believe there are two to three suspects responsible for a string of gunpoint robberies during the past month.

They allegedly committed three robberies on the night of the 13th, first robbing a 72-year-old man after he got out of his car down an alleyway on 18th Street.

Then, they robbed another pedestrian on the 6300 block of Chew Ave. Police have been able to connect the suspects because the suspects wear orange masks.

However, in at least one instance, a suspect failed to pull the mask own over his face.

"Thank God no one was injured during these robberies. Two of the first three were point of gun. The other two, that we believe were part of the pattern, were also point of gun," said Malachi Jones of Northwest Detectives.

Police say the suspects were seen fleeing in a dark colored SUV in one of the crimes, possibly a BMW.