UPPER MERION ? A getaway car carrying five suspects slammed into a business along South Gulph Road Wednesday, after a foiled attempted robbery from the King of Prussia Mall.
Upper Merion Police Sgt. Jeff Maurer said police responded to the mall plaza at about 12:30 p.m., with reports of a retail theft in progress.
A black Monte Carlo was spotted in the area of Route 202 and South Gulph Road, where the suspects? vehicle ? in an effort to avoid traffic and traveling at a high rate of speed ? soared across a parking lot, went airborne, and crashed into the corner of the building, before bursting into flames.
Before the crash, police said they saw the suspects throwing evidence from their vehicle into an adjacent parking lot.
Employees inside the building, identified as the Shoffner and Associates accounting firm, at 651 S. Gulph Road, were preparing to leave for lunch and were not injured, but all five suspects inside the vehicle sustained injuries and were taken to area hospitals. One suspect attempted to flee, but was tracked down by officers and apprehended.
Police recovered three Salvatore Ferragamo handbags from the scene, valued at several thousand dollars. The bags were taken into evidence. Maurer said the Monte Carlo had heavy front end damage and the crash split the gas main to the building.
While police are not yet releasing the names of the suspects, they are expected to be summoned and charges will be filed when they are released from the hospital.
George Schoffner, owner of the accounting firm, said Wednesday he was lucky the car did not catch fire until after it was towed away from the building, especially with the gas main break. It was the first day of work for one of his new employees, who remarked that it was quite a memorable first day.
?We had a new accountant starting work today. She sat in the office right next to where it got hit,? said Schoffner.
?I was waiting for everybody to get ready and we had just taken a step outside and I heard this loud boom. I thought maybe there was an accident out front of the building. I then saw smoke and this car plowed right into the side of the building.? Continued...
Right after the impact, said Schoffner, the men were seen sprawled across the lawn, writhing in pain. A neighbor told him the car was airborne before it hit the building.
?They were in a lot of pain. The driver was slumped over the steering wheel. One guy?s legs were mangled and he was crying that he couldn?t feel his legs,? he said.
Within seconds, police and emergency responders were on the scene. Guns drawn, Upper Merion police ordered Schoffner to back away from the car.
Because of damage to the gas main, the building is without gas and electricity for the time being and operations are to take place at an alternate location while utilities are fixed.
Calls placed to the King of Prussia mall seeking comment were not returned at press time.
Jenny DeHuff can be reached at jdehuff@timesherald.com or 610-272-2500 ext. 207.
UPPER MERION ? A getaway car carrying five suspects slammed into a business along South Gulph Road Wednesday, after a foiled attempted robbery from the King of Prussia Mall.
Upper Merion Police Sgt. Jeff Maurer said police responded to the mall plaza at about 12:30 p.m., with reports of a retail theft in progress.
A black Monte Carlo was spotted in the area of Route 202 and South Gulph Road, where the suspects? vehicle ? in an effort to avoid traffic and traveling at a high rate of speed ? soared across a parking lot, went airborne, and crashed into the corner of the building, before bursting into flames.
Before the crash, police said they saw the suspects throwing evidence from their vehicle into an adjacent parking lot.
Employees inside the building, identified as the Shoffner and Associates accounting firm, at 651 S. Gulph Road, were preparing to leave for lunch and were not injured, but all five suspects inside the vehicle sustained injuries and were taken to area hospitals. One suspect attempted to flee, but was tracked down by officers and apprehended.
Police recovered three Salvatore Ferragamo handbags from the scene, valued at several thousand dollars. The bags were taken into evidence. Maurer said the Monte Carlo had heavy front end damage and the crash split the gas main to the building.
While police are not yet releasing the names of the suspects, they are expected to be summoned and charges will be filed when they are released from the hospital.
George Schoffner, owner of the accounting firm, said Wednesday he was lucky the car did not catch fire until after it was towed away from the building, especially with the gas main break. It was the first day of work for one of his new employees, who remarked that it was quite a memorable first day.
?We had a new accountant starting work today. She sat in the office right next to where it got hit,? said Schoffner.
?I was waiting for everybody to get ready and we had just taken a step outside and I heard this loud boom. I thought maybe there was an accident out front of the building. I then saw smoke and this car plowed right into the side of the building.?
Right after the impact, said Schoffner, the men were seen sprawled across the lawn, writhing in pain. A neighbor told him the car was airborne before it hit the building.
?They were in a lot of pain. The driver was slumped over the steering wheel. One guy?s legs were mangled and he was crying that he couldn?t feel his legs,? he said.
Within seconds, police and emergency responders were on the scene. Guns drawn, Upper Merion police ordered Schoffner to back away from the car.
Because of damage to the gas main, the building is without gas and electricity for the time being and operations are to take place at an alternate location while utilities are fixed.
Calls placed to the King of Prussia mall seeking comment were not returned at press time.
Jenny DeHuff can be reached at jdehuff@timesherald.com or 610-272-2500 ext. 207.
rancho cucamonga accountant rancho cucamonga accounting firms rancho cucamonga accountants accountants rancho cucamonga accounting rancho cucamonga
No comments:
Post a Comment