A recent surge in convenience store robberies across the North Penn area has continued into October, with the Liberty Gas Station in Hatfield Township being named as the latest victim.
North Penn Now has learned that the gas station — located at the intersection of Cowpath Road and North Broad Street — was robbed at 7:50 p.m. on Oct. 8. Sources alleged a tall, Black male entered the store then broke into the gaming machines before fleeing the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.
When reached for comment, Hatfield Police Chief Bill Tierney confirmed the incident, stating the skills machines were targeted to access the cash inside of them. Tierney added he was aware of similar robberies across the region and noted other locations within the township had been struck, as well.
Since the beginning of September, we’ve reported on a total of five similar incidents — including the Oct. 8 incident in Hatfield — involving thieves targeting gaming machines at convenience stores.
The earliest known instance in the recent surge was two male suspects wearing facemasks who robbed the 7-Eleven on West Main Street in Lansdale, striking the gaming machines with a sledgehammer and stealing the cash inside. Several days later, Towamencin Township Police reported that the 7-Eleven on Allentown Road had been robbed in similar fashion, with two male suspects wearing facemasks entering the store, striking the gaming machines and fleeing the scene with the money.
Since the initial two incidents surfaced, a third case occurred in Hilltown Township involving two male suspects wearing facemasks who entered the store, threatened to shoot the employee, then forcibly opened the gaming machines before fleeing the scene in a maroon SUV. A fourth incident was reported in Franconia Township at the Liberty Gas Station on Harleysville Pike, however the suspect in that incident was identified as a frequent customer who was subsequently taken into custody, police said.
Aside from the Franconia incident, the other robberies share several similarities regarding the suspects and what is being targeted; however, the Liberty Gas Station is investigation is still in its preliminary stages, and Tierney said it was too early to establish a link between the incidents.
“It is still too early to determine if the same group is involved, although we are looking at the similarities in all of the cases,” Tierney said.
Those sentiments echo what other police chiefs in the area have told North Penn Now. Following the 7-Eleven robbery on Allentown Road, Towamencin Police Chief Tim Troxel noted the similarities between the robberies but stopped short of linking the incidents together.
“It certainly sounds similar to other events in the area,” Troxel said. "But it’s too early to say if they’re connected.”
Anyone with information regarding the Oct. 8 robbery of Liberty Gas Station in Hatfield is asked to call the Hatfield Township Police Department at 215-855-0903. Tips can also be submitted anonymously and electronically here.
See also:
Man Accused of Gunpoint Robbery of Liberty Gas Station on Harleysville Pike
Thieves Strike Sunoco A-Plus on Bethlehem Pike, Steal Cash from Gaming Machines
Towamencin 7-Eleven Robbed Early Tuesday Morning, May Be Connected to Similar Incident in Lansdale
Lansdale Police Release Details of Weekend Robbery of 7-Eleven on West Main Street
