Serial thief targets popular pet stores in Philadelphia area: officials
PHILADELPHIA - Well-known pet store franchise, Doggie Style Pets, have become victims of a serial thief in the Philadelphia area, according to officials.
Doggie Style Pets has 10 stores in the Philadelphia area, two in New Jersey and one in California.
The thief hit at least three of the 10 Philadelphia locations at Spruce, South and Pine streets over Christmas week.
According to Doggie Style Pets, the suspect would enter the store, say he had a gun, then ask for money, which the sales associate complied before the thief left.
Doggie Style Pets HR Manager Chris Thomas told FOX 29’s Shaynah Ferreira that while he’s grateful no one was hurt, it’s still cause for concern.
"This is a larger issue that Philadelphia is facing in that we have a ton of small businesses in Philadelphia and, smaller then ours, and it impacts us in revenue, on our employee wellbeing. Impacts our ability to function as a business," he said. "For small businesses that can’t afford a lot of resources, this is something that can put them out of business."
The sales associates at the stores were shaken up, including Aurora Ryan who was at work when the suspect came in.
"I was in the bathroom when it happened and when I came out, my other associate, who was behind the register, told me we had just got robbed," said Ryan. "The robber came in, brandished a gun and never actually pointed it at anyone, but demanded all of the money in the register."
As a result of the robberies, the stores in the area are reducing their cash on hand and strongly encourage customers to pay with credit or debit cards if possible, as said in a statement released to the public Tuesday.
"Definitely knowing that the amount of cash coming in and out of the store will be limited makes me feel better and makes me hope we won’t be targeted again," said Ryan.
According to the statement, "…the Philadelphia police already have strong leads, and are confident they will find and arrest the perpetrator."
MORE HEADLINES
- Minimum wage increasing in New Jersey and Delaware in 2024. Here's how much:
- Powerball ticket worth $1 million sold in Pennsylvania shop for Christmas drawing
- Pennsylvania animal shelter empties every kennel just in time for Christmas: 'A true miracle'
Just a few steps down from the Doggie Style Pets Spruce Street location, the owner of a newly opened gelato shop said he was also robbed.
"We were broken into. Somebody came into our space through the back door, hopped a fence and essentially stole our laptop and cash drawer," said Massimo Boni, owner of Vita.
Mossimo Boni and his business partner had just opened up the gelato shop two months ago only to find they too were targeted by someone looking for cash.
Police ask if anyone has information about the suspect(s) responsible, to please call 215-922-6023.