Crime & Safety

Man Charged in 7-11 Robberies in Camden and Burlington Counties

Charles Wall, 31, was charged in connection with robberies in Gloucester Township and Evesham, and is a suspect in others throughout Camden and Burlington counties.

A Collingswood man has been charged in connection with the armed robberies of two 7-11 stores and is believed to have been involved in 10 other 7-11 robberies throughout Camden and Burlington counties, law enforcement officials announced on Thursday.

Charles Walls, 31, is charged with the armed robbery of a 7-11 in Gloucester Township on June 12 and an Evesham 7-11 on June 2 and 3.

He and two other people were allegedly involved in the armed robbery of the 7-11 on 508 East Church Street in Gloucester Township on  June 12, 3:33 a.m. He is charged with first degree robbery, second degree conspiracy to commit robbery, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and third degree criminal restraint.

Find out what's happening in Cinnaminsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He and two other people were also involved in the attempted robbery of the 7-11 on 2 Main Street in Evesham on June 2, when the clerk saw three masked men approaching the store around 2 a.m. and locked the door. The three men fled.

The following night, law enforcement officials believe Walls was one of two men who robbed that same location. In that incident, Walls is charged with first degree armed robbery, third degree theft, third degree criminal restraint, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm and second degree unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Find out what's happening in Cinnaminsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He is being held at the Camden County Jail. Officials have identified two other men as persons of interest in the case.

Walls is also a suspect in the following robberies:

 

·      Jan. 10, 2014, 12:43 a.m., 7-11 at 6001 Westfield Avenue in Pennsauken, in which the clerk was left paralyzed after being shot four times. It is believed all three men were involved;

·      April 27, 2014, 3:17 a.m., 7-11 at 610 Kresson Road in Cherry Hill, two men involved;

·      May 6, 2014, 6:20 a.m., 7-11 at 7800 Maple Avenue in Cherry Hill, two men involved;

·      May 15, 2014, 3:24 a.m., 7-11 at 1 East Camden Avenue in Moorestown, two men involved; and

·      May 26, 2014, 7-11 at 2 Stokes Road in Medford Lakes, three men involved.

Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk expects further charges to come against Walls in connection with robberies in Camden, Burlington and Mercer counties.

The arrest was the result of a collaboration between multiple agencies that developed an idea of the vehicle being used in the crimes and cross-checked it against vehicles involved in multiple traffic violations. Eventually, Walls became one of the people whose name surfaced with numerous traffic violations, and his characteristics matched those of one of the people involved in the alleged robberies.

Police were able to track Walls to his apartment, where they executed a search warrant on June 13 and discovered multiple stolen items, evidence of stolen items and a silver Ruger .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun believed to be the weapon used in several of the robberies.

Walls has not necessarily been identified as the trigger man in the Pennsauken shooting.

“We have taken a dangerous individual off the streets and secured a gun,” Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk said.

The three men allegedly drove around each business for up to 45 minutes before attempting their crime. Two or three men would then enter the 7-11, with one person holding the clerk at bay while the others stole cartons of Newport or Marlboro cigarettes, other tobacco products and cash.

In several of the robberies, the suspects allegedly used zip ties to bind the clerk during the robbery.

“I don’t know what they were doing with the cigarettes, but I assume they were not for personal use,” Faulk said. “What does a carton of cigarettes cost, about $60, $70? You take a trash bag and load it up with cartons of cigarettes and that’s cash right in your pocket.”

In each case, the robbers generally wore masks, hooded sweatshirts, gloves and dark clothing. On numerous occasions, an orange or reddish Chevrolet Sonic that appeared to be a 2012, 2013 or 2014 model was observed at the scene.

Faulk made Thursday’s announcement at a press conference in Gloucester Township, along with Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle, Evesham Township Police Chief Christopher Chew, Cherry Hill Police Chief William Monaghan and Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.