Police are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a masked man who allegedly robbed an area Wawa store more than once.

As police ramp up their efforts to find the culprit, they're offering $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

"It is our hope that, in offering this reward, we can expedite bringing the perpetrator of these crimes to justice."

The armed man, wearing a “Scream” mask like the one worn in the horror-movie franchise, entered the Wawa at 6460 Bustleton Pike (just a short distance from the busy Roosevelt Boulevard) in Northeast Philadelphia around 3:45 a.m. and demanded money, according to Philadelphia Police.

An employee handed over an undisclosed amount of cash from the registered and the masked man fled from the store.

Luckily, no one in the store was hurt.

Police officers on the scene told NBC10 that they believe this same suspect struck the store before -- one of two suspects capture on surveillance video.

Three earlier thefts also featured robbers in horror masks coming in between 3 and 4 a.m. and demanding money.

The store has dealt with the recent rash of robberies including an Oct. 1 incident where two masked men burst into the store and made off with cash. Then, on Nov. 4 a masked man made off with cash from the register.

Finally, just last Thursday morning, a man in a "Scream" masked burst in and demanded money..

Police blocked off entrances to the store Tuesday morning and spent a couple hours on the scene sorting through evidence.

Northeast Detectives plan on holding a press conference at 3 p.m. Tuesday where they are expected to reveal more information.

Anyone with information should contact police.

Philadelphia becomes a little bit brighter during Thanksgiving week thanks to the return of holiday traditions all within walking distance. And, all for free!

Start across from the southeast corner of City Hall for the annual Holiday Light Show in the main area of Macy's in Center City.

The "Christmas Pageant of Lights," a holiday tradition since 1956, includes about 100,000 LED lights, the majestic sound of the Wanamaker organ and holiday favorite songs from Frosty the Snowman, the Nutcracker and more.

Starting Black Friday, you can catch it every two hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (most nights -- click here for the full schedule) through New Year's Eve (excluding Christmas) at 1300 Market St.

While at Macy's, head up to the third floor for the traditional "Dickens Village" display where the story of A Christmas Carol comes to life until 7 p.m. most days. You can even stop to take a photo with Father Christmas.

On your way out of the store be sure to check out the traditional holiday windows outside Macy's -- where the first Christmas window displays happened back in the 1870s.

After your visit to Macy's, head to the other side of City Hall to check out the Christmas Village at LOVE Park. Now in its sixth year, the German-style Christmas market features dozens of merchants in wooden decorative booths with holiday gifts, ornaments and crafts for sale.

After walking through the village, head over to the Comcast Building at 1701 JFK Blvd for the Comcast Holiday Spectacular.

Now in its sixth year, the show utilizes one of the world's largest 4-mm LED video displays in the lobby of the Comcast Center. The 15-minute show features amazing visuals to Christmas music including The Nutcracker performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet and Olympic-caliber ice skaters that will get you ready for the Winter Olympics in Sochi (only on NBC10 and the Comcast-family networks).

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular runs daily on the hour from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day (excluding 5 p.m. on work days). Use the hashtag #Spectacular to share your photos and experiences of the show.

All the events are geared towards kids of all ages.

The former head of the Republican Party in Montgomery County, who resigned from his post earlier this month amid sexual assault accusations, has been charged with rape and assault.

Robert J. Kerns faces 19 charges including counts of rape of an unconscious victim, sexual assault, indecent assault and simple assault, according to court documents filed on Tuesday.

Three of the charges are related to drugs -- possession of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver and rape of a substantially impaired person.

The 66-year-old attorney allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old woman, who worked at his law firm, following an after-work party on Oct. 25 at a restaurant in Blue Bell, Pa., according to court documents.

The woman was unable to drive home from the party, so Kerns offered to drop her off at the King of Prussia Mall, while he attended a political event, court documents state. He said he'd pick her back up afterwards and by then she should be sober enough to drive.

However, prosecutors say that plan was never carried out. According to court documents, Kerns bought a $68 bottle of Chardonnay before leaving the bar. The victim told officials she remembered drinking the wine in the car before passing out.

Kerns allegedly drove the woman to her home, brought her inside and then raped her, the criminal complaint says.

Prosecutors say he drugged the woman with the sleeping drug Ambien and then sexually assaulted her multiple times.

The woman also told investigators she had leg injuries from the attack and that she photographed the wounds. She quit her job the following Monday and reported the alleged assault several days later, officials said.

NBC10 was first to bring the allegations to light on Nov. 13 -- a day after the case went to a grand jury. That day, our crews witnessed several Montgomery County investigators visiting Kerns' Upper Gwynedd law office. Sources also said investigators visited the man's home.

Kerns formally resigned from his post as the head of the Montgomery County Republican Committee, one of the region's largest political organizations, on Nov. 14. He was involved in Montgomery County politics for more than 30 years, according to his former online profile on the party's website.

Kerns was arrested and arraigned on Tuesday. He is being held on $1 million bail, which he is expected to post. However, there are bail conditions.

He's ordered to stay away from the victim, not allowed to enter any establishment that serves alcohol, not consume alcohol and is subject to random alcohol screenings. Kerns will also be required to wear a GPS monitoring device.

A student is recovering after a car and school bus collided in Delaware County.

• WATCH: Raw Video: School bus crash

Officials say a car struck a school bus on the 600 block of Convent Road in Aston Monday shortly before 3:30 p.m.

Children were on board the bus at the time of the accident and one student suffered minor injuries. No one else was hurt.

The student did not require hospitalization however.

Also on NBC10.com:

• No Criminal Charges for Drivers in Fatal Bus Crash
• Driver Hurt After Car, School Bus Collide
• Kids Hurt in School Bus Crash

As the pre-Thanksgiving Nor’Easter continues to move through the region, officials have issued another code blue for Montgomery County.

The code blue will be in effect for the county from Wednesday at 9 p.m. to Sunday at 9 a.m.

• LIVE: Interactive Radar
• Severe Weather Alerts

“During a Code Blue it is imperative that we check on our elderly relatives and neighbors to make sure they are safe, and it is even more important over this holiday weekend,” said Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr.  “Our police, first responders, non-profit agencies, and the county Public Safety Department stand ready to lend assistance, but I urge everyone to be vigilant to make sure everyone has a safe holiday weekend.”

A code blue declaration is made in Montgomery County whenever conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to those without shelter. It’s also called when the combination of air temperature and wind chill is anticipated to be 20 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

Montgomery County residents who need shelter during a Code Blue can visit the County Homeless Outreach Center in building 53 at the Norristown State Hospital. The CHOC is a 50-bed shelter for single residents. You can contact the center at 610-292-9244. Families can also seek shelter at the Salvation Army in Norristown or Pottstown.

For more information on cold weather, check the Montgomery County Health Department website.

With the announcement that the 911 tapes from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting will soon be released to the public, a local school district is now teaching students and faculty how to fight back against a possible active shooter.

The Downingtown School District hired Alon Stivi, the head of ACT CERT and Bill Latorre, president of Latorre Consulting, to teach students and staff in the district’s 15 schools how to protect themselves from an active shooter. Stivi is a Counter Terrorism Specialist while Latorre is a former Pennsylvania State trooper.

The District is the first in Pennsylvania to learn the ACT Attack Counter Measures Training, lessons that experts say could prove valuable in a life-threatening situation.

“Many of those attacks are preventable and often times they give warning signs before an attack occurs,” said Stivi. 

According to Stivi, almost all mass shooters prepare for an attack in advance, including the suspect in the Sandy Hook shooting.

“One of the things that came out in the report is that the shooter was around the school an entire day the day prior to the shooting,” Stivi said.

Stivi says reporting what’s out of the ordinary could prevent some shootings. He also says however that if there is an active shooter, the worst thing to do is run and hide and lock down without a plan.

“Lock down without barricading is self-entrapment,” Stivi said.

In his training program, Stivi shows teachers how to barricade a room in less than a minute using only a belt, table and cabinets. Stivi and Latorre also say there are plenty of weapons in a classroom that teachers and staff members can use, including scissors.

“When it comes to it, it’s either you fight for survival or you die,” Stivi said. “Dying is not an option.”

For more information on the training program, visit the ACT CERT and Latorre Consulting websites.
 

Former Montgomery County Bar Association President Robert Slota, a partner at Lansdale-based law firm Hamburg Rubin Mullin Maxwell & Lupin, died Sunday of a heart attack while exercising. He was 51.

Mr. Slota was a plaintiffs personal injury lawyer whose partners called him a giant in the Montgomery County legal community.

Slota handled numerous cases involving medical errors and misdiagnosis, spinal cord injury, brain injury, misdiagnosis of cancer, nursing home neglect and abuse, school safety, automobile accidents, product liability, premises liability, insurance bad faith and employment discrimination. Read more about Mr. Slota at PBJ.com

More NBC10.com stories

• Vets: Don't Give Table Scraps to Fido
• Cylinders With Propane Found Near I-95
• Severe Weather Central

For more breaking business news go to PBJ.com

Officials have cleared a hazmat situation near I-95 in the Port Richmond section of the city.

Several large cylinders filled with liquid propane were found on a sidewalk underneath I-95 on Richmond Street and Wheatsheaf Lane, according to investigators.

Officials considered shutting down I-95 in both directions. Crews were able to safely clear the scene of the cylinders however and I-95 will remain open.

Investigators have not yet revealed how the cylinders ended up at the location in the first place.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

Also on NBC10.com:

• Holiday Nor'easter
• Student Hurt After School Bus, Car Collide
• Carbon Monoxide Found in Skating Rink, Kids Hospitalized

As it tries to stem the tide of quarterly and annual losses, Sun Bancorp has ousted President and CEO Thomas X. Geisel.

The bank said Geisel will be terminated from his executive position and resign from the Vineland, N.J.-based company’s board of directors on Dec. 2.

Sun (NASDAQ:SNBC) said it has retained executive search firm Spencer Stuart to help it find a new CEO. During the interim period, board Chairman Sidney R. Brown will serve as interim president and CEO.

Brown's family owns a majority stake of the bank’s shares while also owning and operating Vineland-based logistics company NFI Industries. Read more about this story on PBJ.com

More NBC10.com stories:

• Cylinders With Propane Found Near I-95
• Tour of Pa.'s Unclaimed Cash Vault
• Severe Weather Central: Track the Nor'easter

For more breaking business news go to PBJ.com

Police are searching for two men who they say stole around $10,000 in jewelry while posing as employees with a water company.

• WATCH: Impersonating a Pilot is Easy

Investigators say an elderly man was walking out of his driveway back on November 13 at 1:30 p.m. on Mill Road in the Meadowbrook section of Abington Township. Suddenly he was approached by a man who identified himself as a “water company employee,” according to officials.

The “employee” told the elderly man that there was flooding in the basement of another house in the neighborhood. He then claimed he had to go into the elderly man’s home to check his water pressure and make sure there wasn’t a problem.

The elderly man told police he led the “employee” into his home. The “employee” then went into all the bathrooms inside, flushed the toilet and turned on all the faucets. According to the elderly man, at one point another man dressed up as a water company worker approached him and told the first “employee” that “everything looked good” but instructed him to keep checking the water pressure. The man told police he had no idea how or when the second "employee" entered his home.

The elderly man told police that both “employees” then left his house shortly after. After they left, the man says he suddenly realized that around $10,000 worth of jewelry had been stolen from the master bedroom.

The first suspect is described as a medium-built white male between the ages of 50 and 55 with an olive complexion, standing 5-foot-7. Police say he was wearing a blue hard hat, tan pants and a tan coat.

The second suspect is described as a medium-built 45-year-old white male with an olive complexion standing 5-foot-8 and thinning hair that was combed back. Police say he was wearing blue pants and a hooded sweatshirt.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of the suspects, please call Abington Township Police.
 

A man is in the hospital after police say he was shot near a deli in the Wissinoming section of the city.

Police say an unknown gunman opened fire and struck the victim in the leg on Sanger Street Tuesday night. The man then ran into a nearby deli and called for help, losing a large amount of blood in the process.

Police say the man lost consciousness as he was taken to the hospital. Police have not yet revealed his condition.

No arrests have been made. Police have not yet released information on any suspects.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

Also on NBC10.com:

• Man Struck After Masked Gunmen Open Fire
• Horse Shot While Pulling Amish Buggy
• 4 Men Shot in Legs, Feet

A person of interest is now in custody in connection to the death of a pregnant woman and her 4-year-old daughter.

Ebony Talley, 22, and her 4-year-old daughter R'Mani Rankins were found dead inside an apartment complex in Bristol Township, Pa. on Monday following a fire. Friends and family say Talley was 6-months pregnant at the time of her death.

"She was a good person," said Talley's cousin, Dani Hodges. "She took care of her daughter. She loved her sisters and brother."

The fire broke out at the Avalon Court Apartment Complex on the 3500 block of Bristol Oxford Valley Road -- not far from the Pennsylvania Turnpike -- Monday afternoon. Firefighters controlled the blaze shortly after.

Officials soon discovered the bodies of Talley and R'Mani, who were staying with a friend inside the complex. Talley was pronounced dead at the scene. R'Mani was taken to the hospital where she later died.

According to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, someone stabbed both Talley and her daughter and set a fire to cover it up.

"It's too fast," said Marquis Johnson, a friend of the victims. "It sounds fishy. It sounds like they were set up or something like that."

Police say 21-year-old Marcel Johnson is currently a person of interest in the case. Johnson was already arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia with bail set at 10% of $50,000.

According to an affidavit, Johnson was the last person at the scene with Talley and her daughter before their deaths. While he is a person of interest he has not been charged with their murder.

Officials said six people were displaced during the fire. The American Red Cross assisted them with the basic necessities.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

Cape May Police Officer Scott Krissinger admits that he had “a million things going” through his head Monday night when he pulled up next to a burning truck on Sunset Boulevard in West Cape May. But fortunately for the man trapped inside the vehicle, Krissinger didn’t dwell on those thoughts and acted immediately.

“I just remember the smoke coming out,” Krissinger said. “I couldn’t see anything.’ 

Krissinger sprinted towards the vehicle, pulled the unconscious driver out to safety and then ran back to check if there were any other passengers inside.

“When I went to the passenger seat, again, I couldn’t see anything,” Krissinger said.

The incredible rescue was captured on the dashboard cam of Krissinger’s patrol vehicle.

“He didn’t hesitate,” said Cape May Police Captain Rob Sheehan. “He’s a hero in every sense of the word and we’re very happy to have him as a member of our department.”

Krissinger, a seven-year veteran, insists however that he was merely doing his job.

“I think any of the officers at the Cape May Police Department would’ve done the same thing,” Krissinger said. “I truly do. It just happened to me.”

The driver, identified as 61-year-old Gerald Ferrill of Mays Landing, was taken to the hospital where he is in critical, but stable condition. Witnesses told police that he was driving his truck with a flat tire and strange sounds were coming from the engine area prior to the fire.

“I would have to think the driver didn’t have much longer to stay in that situation without facing serious bodily injury,” Captain Sheehan said. “We’re very proud of him, obviously. He’s a credit to law enforcement as a whole.”

Despite being hailed a hero, Krissinger remains humble.

“I think there are heroes every day,” he said. “I just happened to be caught on camera doing it.”
 

The men police say could be responsible for more than five dozen break-ins over the past couple months -- some that involved a thrown brick -- are behind bars this morning.

The accused “brick bandits” were captured after an attempted burglary in the South Jersey neighborhood the men have targeted during their alleged crime spree, according to Winslow Township Police.

Police say Daimer Kellam, 20, and Eric Schmitt, 29, ran off after allegedly breaking the glass of an elderly couple’s home on Chews Landing Road in Sicklerville Friday evening. About 90 minutes earlier, investigators say the duo was scared off while trying to enter a nearby vacant home.

Kellam and Schmitt were unaware that detectives were discretely tracking them on Friday after a lengthy investigation helped investigators zero in on the duo known for allegedly using a brick to get into a home before rummaging around for items including shoes, electroivs and watches. After the second incident, police gave chase, following the men to the apartment that shared in the Tamerlane Apartment Complex off Chews Landing Road near the Atlantic City Expressway.

After a brief struggle, investigators say they arrested Kellam and Schmitt.

Police say officers also responded to the home the duo allegedly tried to break into to find the elderly residents shaken up by the incident but otherwise unharmed. On the couple’s kitchen floor was a brick and shattered glass from the rear sliding door, according to investigators.

A search of Kellam and Schmitt’s home revealed various items believed to be from previous burglaries, according to police.

Kellam and Schmitt were each charged with five counts of burglary, conspiracy, theft, criminal mischief, and resisting arrest and sent to Camden County Jail unable to post $100,000 cash bail.

Despite the arrests, the investigation is far from over -- police say their were 65 similar type of burglaries in the area since September.

Detectives continued to try and link the alleged brick bandits to earlier incidents and also worked to figure out if any additional suspects were involved, according to police.

Investigators say they will try to reunite victims with their stolen items.

Someone has some of your money and is looking to give it back. Believe it or not, one in ten Pennsylvanians has forgotten money being held by the state. Whether from an old layaway or a savings bond that slipped your mind, these forgotten funds are deemed “unclaimed” and turned over to the state. Some of that money could be yours, and it’s waiting for you to come find it.

• PA Unclaimed Cash
• NJ Unclaimed Cash
• DEL Unclaimed Cash

According to law, if a bank account isn’t touched for more than five years, the bank will turn the money over to the state. If the state cannot track you down, the treasury keeps these items and looks for an owner so they can turn it back over to its rightful place.

The most common types of unclaimed property are savings or checking accounts, stocks, dividends, uncashed checks and items that were left in safe deposit boxes.

State officials say Pennsylvania currently has $1.9 billion in unclaimed property, and in 2012 the state returned about $100 million to its rightful owners. To find money that could be yours, visit PA Treasury website. If you’re from outside of Pennsylvania, you can also check Missing Money. After checking for your own name, be sure to also check the names of any deceased relatives, because you could be the beneficiary if they had lost property.

"Don’t just look under your own name," says Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rob McCord. "Look under the names of loved ones and organizations: synagogues, churches, mosques, animal shelters and schools."

If you do have property that is being held by the state treasury, McCord says that you can get your assets back for free.

"We need to caution people as yet another consumer protection: this is a free service. If anyone tries to intervene online and pretend, ‘pay me a fraction of this to go get it,’ understand that this will be done for you for free by existing employees who are terrific," says McCord.

While reclaiming forgotten funds may feel like winning the lottery, keeping track of your property will prevent you from having to file a claim in the first place. Keep an inventory of all of your property, such as bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, insurance policies, stocks and retirement accounts. Especially keep track of your savings bonds. They are often forgotten because they take years to mature. Be sure to share this list with your next of kin.

Be sure to notify your bank, employer, insurance contacts, or anyone else who may be holding your assets of a change in your address or a change in your name due to marriage or divorce. It helps to make a checklist of all accounts that need to be notified if your name or address changes. Share this list with a family member or trusted friend in the case of an emergency.

If you leave a job, make sure you receive all paychecks and unused paid leave. Even if you have direct deposit, many companies issue a paper check for the final payment. It always makes financial sense for you to keep good records, and always be sure to cash all of your checks promptly.

Make sure you stay in contact with your banks and financial institutions to prevent your accounts from becoming inactive. While you’re at it, provide these companies with the contact information for your beneficiary.

The Pennsylvania State Treasury maintains custody of all unclaimed property until it is claimed by its rightful owner. By keeping track of your property, however, you can make sure your funds are never forgotten, for your sake and for the sake of your heirs.

"We believe in these economically challenging times, we have a moral as well as a legal obligation to try to get people reunited with their money," says McCord.