Dean Ceraolo
Police have announced the recent arrests of two fugitives in connection with two unrelated armed robberies of convenience stores in the Far Northeast.
Civilian tips helped investigators identify both alleged robbers.
Officers captured Dean Ceraolo, 51, on Sept. 20 and charged him with an Aug. 24 heist at the Wawa at 10901 Bustleton Ave.
At 5:18 p.m. that day, Ceraolo allegedly entered the store, told a cashier he had a gun and demanded cash from the register. He fled through the back door with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.
Police posted video of the heist on YouTube. Tipsters recognized Ceraolo in the video. Details of his arrest were not released. Ceraolo has no residence of record, police said.
Authorities found a second robbery suspect, James Springbett, 21, already behind bars in Montgomery County on charges unrelated to his Philadelphia case.
On Aug. 18, Springbett allegedly stuck up the 7-Eleven at 3224 Byberry Road. He allegedly entered the store at 11 p.m., pulled a gun on a cashier, went behind the counter and demanded money from the register. He fled south on Academy Road with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.
Investigators posted video of the robbery on YouTube and received tips identifying Springbett as the culprit. In the meantime, authorities in Montgomery County locked up Springbett in connection with another case. Philadelphia police found him in the Eagleville lock-up.
Springbett is from the 3400 block of Morrell Ave., police said. ••
James Springbett
