Police: 2 robberies probably linked

Turkey Hill, Redner’s Market struck within hours by man fitting same description

Police are investigating two robberies in Pottstown and Lower Pottsgrove that they believe involve the same suspect.

At 11:42 p.m. Sunday, a suspect walked into Turkey Hill convenience store at 798 N. Charlotte St. and asked about the price of cigarettes, police said. The suspect then asked for three cartons and stated that he had a gun. He did not, however, display the weapon at the time. The suspect then left with the cigarettes and fled from the store on foot in an unknown direction, police said.

At around 1:15 a.m., Lower Pottsgrove Police responded to a similar robbery at the Redner’s Warehouse Market in the North End Shopping Center at 1300 North Charlotte St.

Police said the suspect entered the store and approached the clerk to ask for a carton of cigarettes. As the clerk went to get them, the suspect lifted his shirt to reveal a black semi-automatic handgun and threatened to shoot the clerk if they did not hand over the money.

The suspect then fled from the store on foot toward Mervine Street.

Lower Pottsgrove Police said the suspect was described as a black male in his late 30s wearing blue pants and a blue hooded jacket with a dark colored knit hat. Additionally he was described as standing about 6 feet tall and weighing about 185 pounds with no facial hair.

“We have experienced a few thefts over the last few weeks that we suspect may be related to this incident,” said Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Michael Foltz. “We’ve had places like the Turkey Hill and the Getty Mart report thefts of cigarettes but this is the first I’m aware of an actual weapon being involved.”

Foltz said he believed other areas have experienced similar thefts and that Lower Pottsgrove Police are looking into surveillance footage as part of their investigation.

Foltz has asked that anyone with information related to the incident contact Lower Pottsgrove Police at 610-326-1508.