WILDWOOD – Two quick-thinking grocery store employees were instrumental in helping apprehend a suspect who allegedly robbed two stores over a four day period.
On March 26 at approximately 9:40 a.m. Wildwood police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Comercial Mexican Grocery Store located at 3806 New Jersey Avenue.
According to police, during the course of the robbery the suspect displayed a knife and demanded money from the store’s cashier.
The suspect was described as a white male; approximately 6 feet tall with a medium body build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored coat and dark-colored trousers. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Two store employees followed the suspect as he fled the scene.
“The store employees’ actions were essential in leading police to the location of the suspect and his apprehension,” stated Det. Sgt. Kenneth Gallagher.
During a follow-up investigation by city police and Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the weapon used in the robbery was recovered along with the stolen cash.
The suspect was identified as Christopher Perillo, 23, an unemployed city resident.
Perillo was charged with first-degree armed robbery; fourth-degree possession of a prohibited weapon; and three counts of second-degree aggravated assault.
Perillo has also been charged with a second similar armed robbery that occurred March 23 at Bautista’s Food Market at 3703 Pacific Avenue. During the course of that robbery the suspect displayed a knife and robbed the cashier of a unknown amount of cash.
He remains lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $300,000 cash bail. Additional charges are pending.
