Cheltenham police are searching for masked robbers involved in two robberies, both of which took place on banks’ grounds within the last three weeks.
Police have not said if the robberies are connected.
One of the incidents happened on the morning of Thursday, October 19 outside the Wells Fargo Bank at 341 W. Cheltenham Avenue, according to NBC10. Police said an 81-year-old woman withdrew $200 from the ATM before a vehicle pulled along the curb right behind her.
Two men with guns—one wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark Adidas pants, pictured above—stepped out of the vehicle, robbed her, and fled the scene.
Officials believe the same vehicle, which may have a New Jersey plate Z439582, was used in at least two other robberies in Philadelphia.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Matt Gonglik at 215-885-1600 ext. 465 or Det. Sgt. Rich Schaffer at 215-885-1600 ext. 450.
Another armed robbery occurred on the afternoon of Friday, October 20 at the Citizens Bank located at 7425 N. Front Street.
Police said a woman was approached by two armed men in the parking lot who struck her in the face, knocked her to the ground, and then took off with her backpack in a maroon SUV.
The backpack had roughly $30,000 in it, police said.
The suspects were described as young, thin, 5’6″ – 6’0″ tall, wearing black clothes with black balaclava-style face coverings.
The suspected vehicle is described as a late 1990s to early 2000s maroon Oldsmobile Bravada SUV with damage to the driver’s side rear bumper, an American flag front vanity plate and an unknown Pennsylvania registration.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Ryan Murray at 215-885-1600 ext. 992 or Det. Sgt. Richard Schaffer at 215-885-1600 ext. 450.
Photos of the suspects and their vehicle were released earlier this month. Investigators believe the group has committed similar robberies in Philadelphia and is using a variety of stolen vehicles.
“This is obviously the same group of people because the M.O. is the same,” Lt. Andy Snyder said last week. “They’re staking out the bank, waiting for a target to arrive, and then they’re robbing a specific customer.”
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photos: Cheltenham police via NBC10