The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between May 3-9. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association.
ARRESTS: At 9:15 p.m. May 3, Center City District bicycle patrol Officer Pagan and Sgt. Paraschak were in plainclothes at 1200 Chestnut St. and observed a male panhandling in traffic and banging on the windows of motorists who didn’t give him money. The officers identified themselves and the male grabbed one of the officers by the shirt, ripping it, and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, two other males joined in assaulting the officers to help the first male escape. All three males, ages 48, 44 and 29, all reportedly homeless, were subdued and arrested for disorderly conduct, assault on police and resisting arrest.
REPORT: At 10 a.m. May 5, complainant was making a delivery for Tri-State Vending. While parked in the 1000 block of Sansom Street, someone cut the lock to the back door of the delivery truck and took money bags. Sixth District Officer Maiorano checked for fingerprints.
REPORT: At 8:40 p.m. May 5, a male entered the Wine and Spirits store, 1218 Chestnut St., lit a plastic container with a flammable liquid and threw it at the counter, while another male in the store grabbed a bottle of rum. Both males fled. Suspect No. 2, with the bottle of rum, was apprehended in the 200 block of South Camac Street by Sixth District bicycle patrol Officer Blackburn. The 19-year-old alleged offender with a Washington Square West address was charged with retail theft. The male who started the fire was described as white and in his 20s with a thin build and sandy hair, wearing green pants and shirt. The fire department doused the minor blaze and the fire marshal is investigating along with the Arson Task Force.
REPORT: On May 5, complainant left his apartment in the 1300 block of Spruce Street, leaving the door unlocked; when he returned he found a laptop, backpack and wallet missing. A review of security video shows two black males: No. 1 wearing a white shirt, khaki cargo pants and a baseball cap; No. 2 wearing a tank top and jeans, carrying complainant’s backpack as he exited the building. Sixth District Officer McCausland checked the scene for possible fingerprints.
REPORT: At 2 a.m. May 7, complainant was in the 300 block of South 13th Street when a silver vehicle, possibly a Lexus SUV, pulled up next to him and shots were fired from the passenger-side window. The vehicle fled north on 13th Street; the male was struck in the hand and leg. The complainant walked to the emergency room at Jefferson University Hospital. Base on complainant’s prior history, it is believed this was not a random act but that he was targeted.
ARREST: At 4:25 p.m. May 7, complainant was walking home from high school and was followed from 12th and Pine streets to 13th and Locust by a male who asked for money. The complainant said no, and the male replied that he didn’t like the complainant’s tone of voice. The victim then took out his cell phone to call police and the male punched him in the arm and side of his neck. Center City bike patrol Officer Wright responded to a call for a fight and arrested the alleged offender in the 1300 block of Locust Street. The 34-year-old suspect with a North Philadelphia address was charged with assault, harassment and related offenses.
ARREST: At 10:40 a.m. May 8, a male was harassing customers inside Macy’s, 1300 Market St., and was escorted out of the store by security. The male returned and refused to leave. Sixth District Officer Sweeney was called and, upon investigation, found narcotics in the male’s pocket. The 31-year-old alleged offender with an Oxford Circle address was charged with possession of crack cocaine.
ARREST: At 4:20 p.m. May 8, a witness observed two males in the alley at 1200 Manning St., one acting as a lookout while the other opened a secured gate behind a property on Spruce Street and entered the yard. The witness called police and took a cell-phone photo of the male leaving the yard. The lookout eluded apprehension, but police napped the other suspect near 1500 Latimer St. The 25-year-old alleged offender with a Frankford address was charged with criminal trespass after the owner of the Spruce Street property was contacted.
REPORT: At 3:15 p.m. May 9, the complainant was in the 1200 block of Chestnut Street watching his uncle’s Rascal motorized wheelchair when a male with a knife demanded the Rascal, then took off with it heading east on Chestnut Street. The offender was described as a black male, 40 years old, about 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds, with fuzzy hair and wearing a gray sweatsuit.
REPORT: At 9:05 and 9:15 p.m. May 9, two complainants on the 400 block of South Quince Street were accosted at gunpoint by three males and had their wallets and cell phones taken. A similar incident occurred minutes prior near 11th and Lombard streets. The offenders were described as white males, late teens or early 20s. No. 1 was 5-foot-10, thin, wearing a red hoodie; No. 2 was 5-foot-10, thin, wearing a black hoodie; and No. 3 was 5-foot-8, thin, wearing a black hoodie and jeans. They were last seen fleeing east on Waverly Street.
REPORT: Between 6:45 a.m. May 7 and noon May 9, complainant’s 2001 Chrysler, parked in the 800 block of Locust Street with a flat tire, was stolen.