Community Rallies Around New Kensington Shoemaker Involved In Violent Robbery
NEW KENSINGTON (KDKA) – New Kensington Police are continuing their search for two men who robbed an 82-year old New Ken shoemaker last week.
Police say they've gotten calls from people who want to donate to a reward in an effort to find the suspects.
Gene Montemurro was in his 5th Avenue repair shop when a masked man came in and scooped money from the cash register last Friday, then a second man entered through an open back door, put his hand around Montemurro's throat, forced him to the floor, and then went through his pockets looking for cash.
Montemurro talked to KDKA TV'S Ralph Iannotti today, saying "to tell you the truth, if they would have asked, I would have given them the money, they didn't have to throw me to the floor."
The longtime New Ken businessman blamed the robbery on drugs, saying 'it ain't going to get any better, until they get the drug problem solved."
Montemurro said his family is urging him to retire now, before there's another incident, and he might get hurt. He explained "I'll retire soon, the pressure is unbelievable, my family, my two daughters, my grandchildren, but I love my customers, and they like me, too."
Rick Butler, a longtime customer, stopped by Montemurro's shop today.
He said he's been coming to the shop ever since he was a little boy.
Butler said "Gene is the only guy I know where you can bring your shoes in, he'll fix them on the spot, and put them right back on your feet, he's a great guy."
Someone has set up a Go-Fund-Me page on the web to raise money for the shoemaker.
His friends, and the city of New Kensington have scheduled a rally in support of Montemurro Wednesday afternoon.
The suspects are both described as black males, one is about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. The other suspect is described as being 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing roughly 180 pounds – at the time he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, cargo pants and flip-flops.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for Gene Montemurro. You can visit the site here: http://www.gofundme.com/y8z69d4
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