by Matthew Tholey
assistant features editor
Six employees of the Imax theater in King of Prussia were forced at gun point into the office by a lone gunman. The employees were taken to the office area where the gunman had stolen approximately $5,000 cash who then fled from the scene before the police arrived.
On Sunday, Nov. 6, at 10:00 am, the Upper Merion Township Police Department received a 911 call that an armed robbery had occurred at the Imax movie theater, which is located at 300 Mall Boulevard in King of Prussia. Upper Merion Police responded to the call and arrived shortly after the initial call. The perimeter of the Imax theater was secured and safeguarded by police units, and telephone contact established with six of the theaters employees who were being confined to a second floor office.
The theater was not open at the time of the robbery. Two female and four male employees were taken to the office area where the manager was forced to open a safe. The gunman allegedly placed $5,000 cash into a black nap sack and then duct taped each of the employees hands and feet before fleeing the scene.
As Upper Merion Township Police arrived on the scene, it was uncertain whether or not the suspect had time to exit the building. The Central Montgomery County Emergency Response Team was activated. The tactical team secured the office area of the theater and safely removed all six employees from the building. None of the employees were reported injured. A complete search of the theater was then conducted. The suspect was not located during the search. A PA State Police helicopter assisted at the scene as well as the PA State Police and the Tredyffrin Township Police.
The suspect in this incident is described as: A African-Amerian male, 165 to 170 lbs., about 6 ft. tall with a 3 to 4 day beard growth; wearing a black hooded sweat shirt, black jeans and carrying a black Jansport nap sack. The suspect was armed with a long barrel silver handgun with duct tape on the handle.
