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Video: Philadelphia pizza shop robbed, theft victim abducted by same suspects within hours

By and FOX 29 Staff
Updated  November 9, 2023 6:52am EST
News
FOX 29 Philadelphia

4 suspects sought in connection with armed robbery, abduction

Philadelphia police say last month's terrorizing crime spree spanned just a few hours, and those responsible are still on the loose.

PHILADELPHIA - An employee threatened with a pipe. A pizza shop robbed of thousands of dollars. A young man abducted and forced to give up his bank information. 

Philadelphia police say the terrorizing crime spree spanned just a few hours, and those responsible are still on the loose.

The first incident occurred outside Bally's Pizza on Mascher Street, in Philadelphia's Olney section, on October 9 around 12:30 a.m.

An employee was loading his pick-up truck when four suspects, two of them armed, forced him back into the restaurant using a large pipe to threaten him.

Video released by police shows the suspects stealing $3,000 from the cash register before fleeing.

Pizza shop owner, Nick Cavilas, described the scene, "He jumped on the counter with a gun and said, ‘Give me money! More, more, more money!’"

Theft victim abducted, Philly pizza shop robbed in one morning by same suspects: police

Philadelphia police say a terrorizing crime spree spanned the course of just a few hours, and those responsible are still on the loose.

"He opened the register and took money from his pocket and asked him where the safe was. He said I have no safe," Cavilas continued.

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Less than five hours later, a 22-year-old man was waiting for the bus when he was approached by two armed suspects at Front Street and Wyoming Avenue, in Feltonville.

The bus stop was located just blocks away from the pizza shop.

Police say the victim was driven around by the suspects as they demanded his PIN information, phone, Apple watch, Airpods and other belongings.

Surveillance footage captured the suspects withdrawing money from a nearby laundromat at least three different times. An undetermined amount of money was stolen.

Philadelphia police are seeking four suspects in connection to these incidents, along with two vehicles: a white 2007-2015 3rd generation Mercedes-Benz C Class four-door sedan with a black glass roof, and a white 2008 GMC Acadia SUV with possible stolen PA tag # JFK-4449.

Calivas, who emigrated from Greece 30 years ago, says he’s just glad his employee was not physically harmed, though he won’t forget the encounter.

"He will never forget the picture now of the gun on the head. He’ll always remember that. Never forget," Calivas added.

Anyone with any information regarding the suspects are asked to call Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251.

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Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to 215-686-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, here. All tips are confidential.

Click here to find resources for victims of violence in Philadelphia.