Pocono News Section

Cab Company Worker Injured in Armed Robbery

Cab Company Worker Injured in Armed Robbery - Monday, November 16, 2009 at 6:00PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Nov 16, 2009 @ 06:00pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - There's a reward being offered for help in finding a man involved in a violent Scranton robbery. It happened just after 2:00 AM at McCarthy's Flowered Cabs on Cedar Avenue.

Police say the bandit was extremely violent. He was armed with a tire iron and hit worker John LaRusso in the head several times. LaRusso was taken to the hospital and needed sutures to close the wounds to his forehead.

"This male, right from the beginning was violent. The victim did not resist in any way, shape or form and nevertheless he was severely injured by the attacker," Captain Carl Graziano said. Graziano is with the Scranton Police Department.

The owner of McCarthy's told Eyewitness News he is upgrading security at his business. He says he's installing new bolts on the doors, new security equipment and even a new safe.

News of the armed robbery spread fast and put neighboring businesses like Scranton Home Mirror and Glass on alert.

"The violence has been getting pretty bad around this area I guess. I guess its gotta be drug-related," George Evarts said.

"How did they know there was anything worthwhile going after over there? How much do they keep on hand?" Carl Shiner said.

Workers at McCarthy's say the thief did get away with money before taking off on foot.

"Me, personally, I would have been locked in there anyway. You'd have to knock on the door and give me some kind of code to get in," Evarts said.

Scranton Police are now hoping the public can help catch the suspect. They're looking for anyone who saw anything unusual.

"Sometimes even the most insignificant information that a person think they have could be significant to us," Captain Graziano said.

The victim, John LaRusso, has been released from the hospital. Police say the only description they have of the suspect is a white man who was wearing jeans and a leather jacket.