Local restaurants Cosi and Mad 4 Mex have each been the targets of armed robberies in the past two days, with combined losses totaling approximately $8,650. So far, police have arrested one suspect in connection with the Mad 4 Mex robbery.
Penn Police Detective Frank DeMeo said investigators have not determined whether the two incidents are related.
"We're looking to see," he said. "But it could also be a fluke."
DeMeo said two males dressed in black ski masks and hooded sweatshirts entered the Mad 4 Mex restaurant -- located at 3426 Moravian St. -- at approximately 11:25 a.m. on Jan. 9 armed with a shotgun and a silver-colored revolver.
The restaurant was about to open, and no customers were on the premises at the time.
The men forced manager Darby Hoffman into his office and told him to open the safe. Hoffman gave the men approximately $5,800.
Police have conducted an investigation and arrested Tavon Jordan, 18, yesterday morning for the crime.
Jordan, who is a North Philadelphia resident unaffiliated with the University, was charged with robbery, conspiracy, receiving stolen property, possession of an instrument of crime, theft, carrying a firearm in the street and simple assault. DeMeo expressed confidence that police will catch the other involved party soon.
"This job isn't finished yet ... I'm sure were going to get him very shortly, too," DeMeo said.
Hoffman declined to comment.
Cosi, located at 36th and Walnut streets, was robbed at gunpoint yesterday morning at 5:49 a.m. for approximately $2,850.
DeMeo said that three employees and the store manager were present in the store when a man dressed in a black ski mask and a gray hooded sweatshirt entered the store and ordered all employees to drop to the ground.
Police suspect that the robber may have broken in during the night because the manager later found two fire doors propped open upstairs. The doors must be closed for alarms to sound.
DeMeo said that in addition to investigating whether the two incidents are related, police are checking into the possibility of whether the robber was assisted by a store employee.
"When you have something like this, that's the most obvious thing to look at first," DeMeo said.
Cosi representatives declined to comment as well.
Despite the influx of armed robberies in the past two days, DeMeo said he does not expect an increase in security as a result of the crimes.
"The funny thing is, I think they already have increased patrol there ... it is just a matter of timing," he said.
