Tamaqua cigarette store robbed

Police this morning were in pursuit of three men who robbed We R Cigarettes at 34 E. Mauch Chunk St. in Tamaqua around 9:15.

The men are considered armed and dangerous, according to police radio broadcasts, and are thought to be riding in an older-model full-size van, maroon or tan, a Chevrolet or Dodge. The men were wearing Halloween masks and were dressed in black.

A witness, who said he was one of seven customers in the store at the time, said one of the robbers had what appeared to be an automatic weapon.

The robbers ordered the customers to get on the floor and put their heads down and to take out everything they had of value. The witness said the men took cellular phones and cash and when one customer put his head up, they struck him. That man was later taken to St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, for treatment.

Check back for updates and see a full story in Saturday's edition of the Standard-Speaker.