Police in Laureldale Borough are investigating a robbery that occurred at the Hershey Harvest Store on Monday, November 18, 2024. The incident took place at approximately 6:18 p.m. at the store, located at 3337 Kutztown Road, near the intersection of Kutztown Road and Elizabeth Avenue.
According to authorities, a male suspect entered the store and approached the counter, appearing to count change in his hand. The suspect asked the clerk for a dime, prompting the clerk to open the cash register. At that point, the suspect attempted to take cash from the register. A struggle ensued between the clerk and the suspect, but the clerk stopped resisting when she believed the suspect had a gun in his hand. The suspect fled the store with a small amount of money.
The suspect was last seen exiting the store, turning right, and running across the parking lot toward Elizabeth Avenue. He continued down an alley between Kutztown Road and Fairfield Street. Police later recovered a black N95-style mask believed to have been worn by the suspect in the alley.
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5’10” with a stocky build, and appearing to be in his late 50s or early 60s. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing dark pants, a blue hoodie with white paint stains on the front, and black sneakers. Surveillance footage indicates that the suspect was on foot before and after the incident and had been walking in the area of Temple and Kutztown Road prior to the robbery.
Laureldale Borough Police are actively reviewing security footage from local businesses and residences in the area. The suspect was last seen running in the direction of Temple via the alley off Elizabeth Avenue. Authorities believe the individual may reside in the Muhlenberg or Temple area.
Police are urging anyone with information about the suspect or the robbery to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Alert Berks County, with cash rewards of up to $10,000 available for information leading to an arrest.
Anonymous tips can be submitted in the following ways: Call: 1(877) 373-9913. Text: Send “ALERTBERKS” followed by your tip to 847411. App: Download the ALERTBERKS app on your mobile device. For more information, visit alertberks.org or contact Laureldale Borough Police directly at 610-929-8816 or 610-655-4911.