3 wanted for strong-arm robbery in Olney convenience store

Philadelphia police are searching for three people after a violent convenience store robbery in the Olney section of the city last month.

Police said the strong-arm robbery happened on February 20 at around 3 p.m. at the Almonte Family Variety store at 322 West Ruscomb Street.

According to police, the incident started when a woman refused to pay for her food order and walked out of the store.

The store owner confronted the woman and took the food back, but shortly after, police said the woman came back with two men.

Surveillance video released by Philadelphia police shows one of the men assaulting the store owner. The woman started to fight with the owner and pull items off the shelves.

As this was happening, police said the second man went behind the counter and stole all the money from the register, nearly $2,000 in cash.

Then, all three suspects fled the store, according to investigators.

The incident is leaving residents and business owners in the community on edge.

“They work hard to open up every day. A lot of them are survival businesses, they’re doing their best to meet the needs of residents and the community. When they experience something like this, it shakes them up, and it shakes up the whole community,” said Stephanie Michel, the executive director of the Olney Community Collaborative.

Police identified the man who stole from the register as 20-year-old Zahmare Johnson-Lane.

According to investigators, Johnson-Lane weighs about 165 pounds, is approximately 6’1” tall, and has black hair and brown eyes. He is considered a flight risk as he previously evaded police in a black Chrysler 300 with Pennsylvania license plate MSV-0959.

The two other suspects have not been identified and police are asking for the public’s help identifying them.

Police said the suspects live in the area and frequently visit the convenience store. Investigators ask anyone with information to submit a tip at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or contact the Northwest Detective Division at 215-686-3353.