Philly gas station owner hires security guards armed with AR-15s and dressed in ... trends now
The owner of a Philadelphia gas station recently reported hiring a security team armed with AR-15s, and shotguns and decked out in Kevlar vests as he fights to combat the city's ongoing crime crisis.
Neil Patel, who oversees a Karco gas station in North Philadelphia, said he hired state S.I.T.E. agents to protect his employees and customers after several recent incidents during which his store was ransacked.
Patel told a local Fox outlet that criminals are 'forcing us to hire the security, high-level security, state-level.'
'We are tired of this nonsense; robbery, drug trafficking, hanging around, gangs,' he added.
North Philadelphia Karco owner Neil Patel said the community is 'tired of this nonsense; robbery, drug trafficking' and gangs that are making it almost impossible to run neighborhood businesses that are seriously damaged by repeated theft
" class="c7" scrolling="no"
S.I.T.E Chief Andre Boyer said his team are armed and trained to protect customers' property by any means necessary. Patel says he has not had a problem with neighborhood criminals since bringing on extra security
Patel shared an image of his gas station store after a recent ransacking by a local gang of criminals. His ATM was also dragged out of the store by local hooded criminals
Local resident Korrie Barry said she 'supports the owner' and his decision to bring on the security team, adding that she is sympathetic to individuals who 'live in a bad area' and are just trying to 'get gas' without confronting criminal danger
Patel said he has not had a problem with criminal confrontation since hiring the S.I.T.E. agents
The small business owner said he was recently pushed to hire the security team after a group of young people vandalized his business and stole his ATM. He said his car had also been damaged by area criminals.
Patel shared pictures and footage of a ransacked store, hooded criminals dragging the ATM machine out of the store, and his car with slashed tires and a smashed window.
Most local residents and neighbors of Patel and his station said they supported Patel's decision to staff up with visibly armed security.
Local resident Korrie Barry said she 'supports the owner' and his decision to bring on the security team, adding that she is
