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Longtime New Kensington Business Owner Considers Closing Shop After Robbery

NEW KENSINGTON (KDKA) – Police are looking for the men who robbed a New Kensington shoe repair shop Friday afternoon.

It happened shortly before 3 p.m. at Gene's Shoe Service on Fifth Avenue.

Police say the men robbed the business at gunpoint and hit store owner, 82-year-old Gene Montemurro, in the back of the head.

The two men took money out of Montemurro's pocket, as well as cash from the register.

"I'm shocked, but I didn't say a word, they didn't say a word and they took off and that's it," said Montemurro.

Montemurro said he didn't even know the one man had a gun until police pointed it out to him while reviewing surveillance footage.

Unfortunately Friday's incident wasn't the first at Gene's Shoe Service.

"I'll tell you the truth, I've been in business for 66 years, for 65 years I never had any problem," said Monetmurro.

However, in 2014 that changed. Montemurro said that year he dealt with busted-in windows several times and another robbery.

Montemurro says his family thinks it's time to retire.

"What can I say? I love my work, they love me, but I can't take anymore," he said holding back tears.

When asked to take a guess, Montemurro says he's repaired close to 75 shoes a day for the past 66 years.

"You add it up, I'm not that good (at math)," he said.

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.

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