Man steals banana, pretends it’s a gun, robs clerk

Police are searching for a suspect who was caught on camera using a hidden banana to rob a grocery store in West Philadelphia Tuesday morning.

The robbery happened around 9:15 a.m. inside the Tejada Grocery store located on the 3800 block of Poplar Street.

Police say the suspect spotted a bunch of bananas while waiting in line, grabbed one and stuffed it into his sweatshirt pocket.

He then approached the counter, acting as if the banana was a gun and demanded money and cigarettes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5JNotRiEs <<< video

After getting away with an undetermined amount of cash, he fled the scene on a bicycle and was last seen on 40th Street towards Wyalusing Avenue.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’9-5’11 tall, 140 lbs. with a thin build. He was wearing a tan hooded sweatshirt with “Pacific Coast Hollister 19″ on the front in red lettering and black pants.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Police at 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP (773847).

You can also submit an anonymous tip online through the Philadelphia Police website.