Store Robbed Twice This Week; Robber Took iPhone Containing Photos Of Woman Missing In Nepal Earthquake

The Pioneer Gas Express station at the corner of New Falls Road and Veterans Highway (Route 413) was robbed for the second time this week this Wednesday afternoon.

Bristol Township police confirmed later Wednesday afternoon that the gas station clerk – the same one who was robbed of cash and his iPhone Monday night – was robbed at gunpoint around 2 p.m. Wednesday. In the latest robbery, the clerk was kicked and stomped, an official said.

The clerk, a native of Nepal, was transported to St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown to be evaluated after complaining of pain, police said.

The ski masked clad suspect in the first robbery made off with less than $200 and the phone. In Wednesday’s robbery, the suspect made off with a “substantial sum of money” and attacked the clerk.

Acting Chief of Police Sgt. Ralph Johnson said the iPhone taken on Monday contained the only photos of the clerk’s wife, who has been missing since a massive earthquake devastated Nepal.

While the suspect in Wednesday’s robbery did not appear to be the masked man who hit the store Monday night, Johnson said “there are indications the two suspects are acquainted.”

Police have obtained store surveillance video from both robberies and are reviewing it, officials said.

Suspect in the first robbery: male wearing a ski mask, roughly 6-foot-tall and of medium to heavy build.

Suspect in the second robbery: black male, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-8, medium build, wearing a black hoodie with a towel wrapped over the black mask and light gray pants.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Bristol Township Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 215-788-828.