Hurricane Sandy’s rain and wind failed to slow a knife-wielding man who robbed several Northeast Philly fast food restaurants, a gas station and his own relative before and during the storm, Philadelphia
police said.
Authorities from the city and Bensalem Township arrested 40-year-old Jason Martino at a suburban motel late Tuesday night. His permanent address is not known.
The crime spree began at 8:05 a.m. Saturday when Martino allegedly entered the Burger King at 11703 Bustleton Ave., pointed a knife at a clerk and stole $200 from the cash register. On Sunday at 7:01 a.m.,
Martino allegedly committed a similar heist at McDonald’s, 501 Franklin Mills Circle, stealing $60.
On Monday, Martino allegedly went to the Exxon station at 11:40 a.m. and tried to rob a clerk at knifepoint, but fled empty-handed. At
midnight on Tuesday, he allegedly arrived at a relative’s home in the Far Northeast, kicked in the door, brandished a knife and stole the
woman’s purse, which contained $150 cash and credit cards. The damage to the door was valued at $1,500.
At 9:27 p.m. Tuesday, Martino allegedly robbed the McDonald’s, 9970 Bustleton Ave., and fled with an undetermined amount of cash. Police traced him to the motel a short time later and allegedly recovered
evidence linking the suspect to all five crimes. ••
