Chestnut hill bank is robbed at gunpoint

1CHESTNUT HILL BANK IS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

Two armed men robbed a Sovereign Bank in Chestnut Hill yesterday, authorities said.

The FBI and Philadelphia police said that the men entered the bank, at Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike, about 12:57 p.m., and while one brandished a shotgun with a pistol grip and threatened employees, the other vaulted the teller counter.

After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the men fled south on foot through the parking lot. They were last seen getting into a silver sedan with tinted windows, possibly a Pontiac Grand Am, headed south on Ardleigh Street from Evergreen Avenue, police said. No injuries were reported.

The men were described as 25 to 30 years old, about 5 feet 8, with medium builds. Both wore black cloths or masks over the lower portions of their faces.

The man who brandished the shotgun was wearing a red Phillies cap, a dark long-sleeve shirt, tan pants and white sneakers, and carried a large black duffel bag.

The man who vaulted the counter wore a black Phillies cap, a dark long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the FBI at 215-418-4000 or the Philadelphia Police Department. A reward may be offered, and tipsters can remain anonymous.

2ARRESTS IN A.C. COUNTERFEITING

Five people were arrested Monday after a monthlong investigation by Atlantic City police detectives into the sale of counterfeit merchandise at six stores on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

A total of 3,530 items were seized, including counterfeit Louis Vuitton, Coach, Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Prada and Burberry items, authorities said. The items - including purses, wallets, bags, belts, shoes, scarves, jewelry, watches and leather goods - had a total street value estimated at $150,000.

Three of the stores were found to be selling prohibited weapons. Police said they recovered 508 switchblade knives, 236 brass knuckles, 109 butterfly knives and 10 stun guns.

Arrested were Shabzad Ali, 32; Mohammad Asghar, 46; Usman Mohammed, 27, and Usman Mohammed, 27, all of Atlantic City; and Wasal A. Khan, 34, of Galloway Township. All were released pending court appearances.

- Staff and wire reports