Photos show suspects wanted in attempted armored truck heist outside Wawa
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The FBI has released photos of four suspects wanted in connection with an attempted armored truck robbery in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia.
The incident occurred around 7:55 a.m. last Friday outside a Wawa store on the 7700 block of Frankford Avenue.
RELATED | Armored truck driver fires shots during attempted robbery outside Wawa
Investigators say two masked men, one armed, attempted to rob a Loomis armored truck driver. The driver fired five shots at the suspects, who fled the scene
According to the FBI, one suspect escaped in a stolen Acura RDX, while the other was seen entering a stolen red Honda Accord waiting in an alley behind the store.
No injuries were reported.
Wayne Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia field office, told Action News that investigators believe the suspects are part of a third criminal crew targeting armored trucks.
"There is a third crew that we are seeking information about," Jacobs said.
The attempted heist comes amid a string of similar crimes across the Delaware Valley in recent months. In response, the FBI launched an initiative this summer called Operation: Summer Heat, aimed at curbing violent crime in the region, with a particular focus on armored truck robberies.
Jacobs said the initiative has already led to the dismantling of two other criminal rings, thanks to collaboration with local and state law enforcement.
"From about June to October, it took us on average about two months to identify the individuals responsible and hold them accountable and bring them to justice," Jacobs said.
Despite the latest incident, Jacobs expressed confidence that the suspects will be apprehended.
"The point is that the activity won't be tolerated. We will work aggressively to identify these individuals and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law," he said.
Anyone with information can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online, or with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.
