Guilty Verdict in 2011 Dollar Store Hold Up

A 60-year-old Chester man has been found guilty of attempted murder in the December 15, 2011 armed robbery of the Dollar Magic Store on South Chester Road in the unattached section of Springfield Township.

According to an affidavit of probable cause in the case, Robert Costen shot and injured a clerk in the store during a robbery.

Police say Costen was also shot by a store employee during a struggle inside the store. Costen was found outside the store in an idling car.

Employees and witnesses advised police that a black male, later identified as Robert Costen entered the store and approached the registers. He allegedly pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded money. 

the cashier reportedly noticed a fellow employee close by and screamed for help. The employee, Abelardo Feliciano, 25, of New Jersey, grabbed Costen and attempted to subdue him, police said.

During the struggle, two shots were fired, one striking the employee and one striking Costen, police said at the time.

According to Springfield Police, Costen fled the store and attempted to leave the area in a vehicle. Responding officers found Costen unconscious in his vehicle in the shopping center parking lot. He was bleeding from a gunshot wound. The store employee involved in the struggle was found inside the store suffering from a gunshot wound. Both victims were transported to Crozer-Chester Medical Center for treatment.

According to an email sent to Patch by the Delaware County District Attorney's office Thursday:

Robert Costen of Chester was found guilty (Thursday) of attempted murder and other related charges for the Dec. 15, 2011 shooting of Abelardo Feliciano at the Dollar Magic Store located at the 700 block of Chester Road in Springfield.

Other charges include two counts of robbery, aggravated assault and firearms not to be carried without a license.

Patch will update the story when a sentencing date is set in the case.

6abc/Action News also covered the robbery. You can watch the report on the 6abc.com website.