Man charged in armed robbery at Prospect Park gas station

PROSPECT PARK, Pa. (WPVI) -- A man is facing robbery and assault charges after police say he threatened a gas station clerk with a box cutter and stole cash and cigarettes in Prospect Park, Delaware County.

Police say the robbery happened at around 5:40 a.m. April 20 at a Shell gas station at Lincoln Avenue and Chester Pike.

Investigators say a suspect entered the store, showed the clerk the box cutter and demanded money. The entire encounter lasted less than a minute.

"At that point, our victim saw an opportunity to get out of the store, so he vaulted the counter, left the business and called 911," said Prospect Park Police Chief Dave Madonna.

As the clerk ran from the store, police say the suspect took a cash box from under the register and stole cartons of cigarettes before fleeing.

Investigators estimate between $2,000 and $3,000 in cash was taken along with the cigarettes.

Police say the clerk believed he recognized the robber based on the suspect's appearance and behavior.

"Due to the size of the suspect and some other mannerisms, the clerk kind of thought this might be the guy linked to the robbery," Madonna said.

According to an affidavit, four days later, a man later identified as 30-year-old William Morissey returned to the gas station and asked the clerk if he had reported him to police.

Morissey was arrested Sunday after police say they recognized his vehicle at another gas station.

Customers at the Shell station said the robbery has raised concerns about safety.

"It needs to stop," said Ava Lemoncelli of Essington. "It makes me feel unsafe, it makes me feel like I need to have protection with me at all times. It makes me feel not safe as a woman to go out alone, with my friends."

Others said they were relieved the clerk was able to escape unharmed.

"Your life is always more important than money," said Muzi Carroll of Aldan.

Morissey is facing several charges, including robbery and assault. He is being held on $50,000 bail.