2 suspects wanted in attempted robbery of Brinks truck in Northeast Philadelphia, police say
Philadelphia police are searching for two armed suspects who they say attempted to rob a Brinks truck in Northeast Philly on Tuesday morning.
The attempted heist happened in the 8200 block of Castor Avenue around 11:30 a.m., police said.
Police said the two suspects fled the scene in a black newer model Nissan Maxima or Altima. The car had an unknown Pennsylvania license plate with heavy tint on all the windows and black rims, according to police.
Police said a Brinks employee was making a delivery when two suspects approached him and attempted to rob him.
The Brinks employee fired his weapon at the suspects, who fled inside a black Nissan northbound on Castor Avenue. Sources told CBS News Philadelphia the suspects also fired their weapons.
Police said eight spent shell casings were recovered from the scene.
There were no reported injuries.
"While I was walking into the bathroom, I just heard four shots," a neighbor said. "I wasn't sure if they were gunshots or not, but they sounded pretty close to gunshots."
"It's pretty concerning. If they're willing to do it at this time, they're willing to do it anytime, anywhere," Mohamed Mustafa, who works nearby, said. "So, I think they should definitely keep an eye out and try and tighten up on security a little bit."
Investigators are looking for surveillance video of the area.
This was at least the fourth robbery of an armored truck in the city over the last month. On June 21, police said suspects stole money from a Brinks truck outside a Home Depot in Port Richmond. Five days later, another armored truck was reportedly held up at an Aldi in Lawncrest. Then, on July 2, police reported another armored truck robbery outside the Dollar General in the Holmesburg Shopping Center. PPD sources said they're looking at these as a potential pattern.
The PPD and the FBI Task Force are collaborating on the investigation.
"In general, and in the interest of the safety of our employees and others who may be affected on matters concerning law enforcement, we do not comment and recommend that you approach the relevant law enforcement agencies for further background on the incident," Brinks said in a statement.