Police To Brief On Center City Robbery Series
Philadelphia authorities will address eight armed robberies that targeted people carrying bags in several neighborhoods.
By Aiko Petrov ·
The Philadelphia Police Department will deliver a briefing Thursday afternoon on a cluster of early-morning robberies recorded earlier this month across Center City, North Philadelphia, Northern Liberties, Spring Garden and areas near Temple University. The session is set for 2 p.m.
Police said suspects in seven of the eight cases carried handguns fitted with light attachments. Authorities said the perpetrators appeared to select victims who were carrying bags.
The first case occurred Oct. 2 at 1800 W. Norris St., where two suspects took a man's watch, two silver chains and a medallion while he slept in his car, Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith said during a news conference days later.
Five robberies followed Oct. 4 between 4:40 a.m. and 6:05 a.m., with suspects taking bags and phones from victims across Northern Liberties, Center City, Spring Garden and North Philadelphia. One of those incidents unfolded outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Center City.
On Oct. 6, three people robbed a 61-year-old woman near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, then pointed a gun at a man near Temple University's campus. Smith said at the time that the pattern was escalating: "As you can see, this is just becoming more and more serious. I mean, any gunpoint robbery is a serious occurrence, but the way that these suspects are acting, it's only a matter of time before something really bad happens." Police have not said whether the cases are linked or whether any arrests have been made.
The Philadelphia Police Department has not released information on suspects or arrests in connection with the robberies.
