Baltimore Police Sees Uptick In Convenience Store Robberies; Crime Concerns Clerks

By FOX45
Posted on 05/25/22 | News Source: FOX45

Baltimore police data shows an uptick in convenience store robberies, but police have not said exactly why we're seeing that increase. It's a crime that's causing concern for some clerks.

At the Zack Mini Mart on North Avenue near Pennsylvania Avenue, there's a small convenience store with big concerns.

Waddah Albana, a clerk at his cousin's store, says he's mindful of security and would-be robbers.

"We close the door. We give service from the window," Albana said. "Like right now, somebody could come in with a gun and put it in my head. I got to give them all the money within one minute. It's going to take him less than one minute to get it."

Security measures are in place, including a bulletproof barrier between the clerk and customers.

The store has sat near the busy corner for several years with no trouble. Albana said the store has never been robbed. "No, never had no problems here."

But his concerns are triggered by recent incidents at other convenience stores, including the fighting and looting that happened inside a Fells Point store over the weekend.

And in Edmondson Village, the manager at one store was too afraid to show his face but spoke out last month. He said thieves routinely target his store with no regard for the cameras or victims.

He described what happened in one incident when he said an armed robber walked into the store.

"He came in with a facemask and a machine gun. He said if you don't give him all the cash you have, he'll start shooting through the hole," the manager said.

According to Baltimore police, the number of convenience store robberies citywide has soared over the past two years, up more than 500%.

Why the increase?