Local Officers Commended for Capture of Alleged Dunkin' Donuts Stick-Up Men

According to The Times Herald, 12 officers from four area municipalities were honored on Tuesday night at West Norriton's Board of Commissioners' meeting for their role in the capture of a  in Norristown and a Dunkin' Donuts in West Norriton.

Chief Robert Adams awarded commendations to the following officers:

• Detective David Crawford (Norristown)
• Sergeant Jeffrey Balch (West Norriton)
• Detective Sergeant Michael McGettigan (West Norriton)
• Detective Charles Naber (West Norriton)
• Patrolman Kristin Touchstone (West Norriton)
• Patrolman Jason Burton (West Norriton)
• Patrolman John Gibson (East Norriton)
• Patrolman David McDermott (East Norriton)
• Patrolman Lawrence Thompson (East Norriton)
• Patrolman Frank Franco (Whitpain)
• Patrolman Ken Duelley (Lower Providence K-9)
• Dispatcher Kathryn Burfete (Montgomery County Police Radio)

"Because of the quick response, obtaining detailed descriptions of the actor and vehicle, timely radio flash messages and excellent cooperation between area departments, the apprehension of a very dangerous subject was brought to a quick conclusion with no injuries," said Adams, according to the Herald. "A successful prosecution is expected."

Area residents who provided information to the police during the investigation were also honored. 

"One of the witnesses was incredible," Adams said. "The detail that we were given was beyond belief."

According to the criminal complaint, 43-year-old Derrick Godfrey, 46-year-old James Thompson and 48-year-old Wayne Waters, all of Philadelphia, are facing charges including robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm while prohibited and carrying a fire arm without a license.

Police responded to a call for an armed robbery at the Dunkin' Donuts on Ridge Pike in West Norriton shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, and witnesses reported to police that a black male, 30 to 40 years old robbed the store using a silver handgun and got away with an undisclosed amount. Outside the store, a witness saw the suspect get into a white 1999 Pontiac Bonneville with another man at the wheel.

East Norriton Police reportedly identified the vehicle travelling through their township and took the suspects into custody in the parking lot of Facenda-Whitaker Lanes. Witnesses identified the men in custody as the men involved in the robberies and identified the car as the one seen leaving the scene of the Dunkin' Donuts robbery. A search of the vehicle uncovered a silver gun and an undisclosed amount of money.

Authorities believe the men may have committed other armed robberies in the area, including a robbery of a Wine & Spirits Shop in Philadelphia.

See a video of Chief Adams awarding the commendations above.

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