April 06, 2016
Source/Abington Township Police Department
These images taken from surveillance video show the suspect, left, in an armed robbery in the North Hills section of Abington Township, and a possible witness to the crime, at right. Police are searching for the identity of both men.
An armed man shot a clerk overnight Tuesday at a 7-Eleven store in Abington Township, police said.
Police have released surveillance photos of the armed robbery suspect and are asking the public for help in identifying the man. A photo of a possible witness, who was in the store shortly before the crime occurred, also was distributed.
Breaking: Police arrest suspect in shooting of popular 7-Eleven clerk in Abington
According to police, the 7-Eleven store at 2869 Limekiln Pike in the North Hills section of the township was empty around 1:35 a.m. Tuesday when a 67-year-old clerk named Charles, working in a rear stockroom, heard someone enter the store. The worker, a resident of Willow Grove, walked out to see who it was and encountered a black man holding a black handgun. The clerk attempted to knock the gun away from the suspect, police said.
The suspect then shot the clerk in the leg, and the clerk fell to the floor, police said. The suspect then fired again at the victim and apparently missed, before fleeing the store. The victim was taken to Abington Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Police gave the following description of the suspect: black male, medium height, medium build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark colored pants, and black shoes. The suspect appeared to have a white cloth wrapped around the lower portion of his face.
One township resident, Heather Michelle Juel, started a Facebook page for the victim entitled "We love you Charlie." She said the clerk is so pleasant to customers.
"Charlie is one of the sweetest guys," she said. "Anyone who lives in the area or frequents that 7-11 know his warm smile. No matter how many people are in line he manages to look up and say hello."
Abington police would like to talk to the potential witness in the store shortly before the crime occurred. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or the witness is asked to contact the department at 267- 536-1100.
