This was the scene caught on tape inside a 7-Eleven on Broad Street in South Philly during a violent struggle between an armed robber and a 21-year-old South Philadelphia man who was forced off the street at gun point.
"Next thing you know somebody is physically assaulting you and putting to your head an extremely large caliber semi-automatic handgun," said Capt. Larry Nodiff of South Detectives.
As the robber and his victim struggle, you can clearly see the gun come out and a 7-11 employee come to the victim's aid. The struggle continued, but finally ended when the gunman backed away and fled. The victim and the 7-Eleven employee were shaken, but not injured.
"Although it's risky, in this particular case, they were heroic in their actions," Nodiff said.
"He tried to help out an innocent bystander and maybe prevented the guy from getting hurt," said store owner Joe DiFabritiis.
The terrifying ordeal started when the victim was approached for a lighter on the 2200 block of Rosewood.
The suspect produced a gun, stole his cell phone and ordered him to remove cash from an ATM at a TD Bank on Broad at Jackson.
Then, the gunman forced the victim down the block to the 7-Eleven where he made him buy a $10 pack of cigarettes. That's when the victim turned on the suspect.
"The guy tried to stop the guy cause he was going to try and take him home, I think was the word," DiFabritiis added.
Police and store owner Joe DiFabritiis praised the efforts of his employee and the victim. They hope someone will recognize the gunman and turn him in.
"We got a good picture of him. I believe he will be captured and we'll have another bad guy off the street," he said.
The victim was not available to speak with Fox 29 Wednesday. The suspect is 5'5", about 25-years-old with a thin build. He was wearing a gray striped hooded sweatshirt.
Anyone with information should call South Detectives at 215-686-3013 or just dial 9-1-1. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:17:37 GMT
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:18:27 GMT
"Very creepy" is the way neighbors are describing the most recent incidents involving a suspected prowler in Lumberton who has struck three times in the last couple of months.
"Very creepy" is the way neighbors are describing the most recent incidents involving a suspected prowler in Lumberton who has struck three times in the last couple of months.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:02:59 GMT
Just hours after L&I building inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer ended his own life Wednesday night, sources say police found a videotape on which Wagenhoffer says "it wasn't my fault."
Just hours after L&I building inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer ended his own life Wednesday night, sources say police found a videotape on which Wagenhoffer says "it wasn't my fault."
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:36 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:36:19 GMT
"We have now lost seven lives in connection with this tragedy." With those words, city officials confirmed the overnight suicide of License and Inspections Inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer.
"We have now lost seven lives in connection with this tragedy."With those words, city officials confirmed the overnight suicide of License and Inspections Inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:49 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:49:38 GMT
Everyone remembers Cabbage Patch Dolls. They were those cherub-faced dolls that had yarn hair. A fan of those dolls is making and selling wigs to look exactly like the toy!They come in all shapes, sizes
Everyone remembers Cabbage Patch Dolls. They were those cherub-faced dolls that had yarn hair. A fan of those dolls is making and selling wigs to look exactly like the toy!They come in all shapes, sizes
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Surveillance video captures a victim fighting off a would-be robber. (Philadelphia Police Department)
