Armed Robberies, Sex Assault Under Investigation: Philly Police

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Police are investigating armed robberies and a sexual assault that occurred in the Mt. Airy and Germantown area that began on Nov. 20. Police believe one person is responsible for all three incidents and are investigating them as a pattern.

According to police, three armed robbery incidents occurred in the past week. Two were on Nov. 20 and the third on Nov. 26.

The first incident occurred on the 400 block of East Washington Lane at about 4:15 p.m. on Nov. 20, police said.

The victim was walking down the street when a man approached the victim, pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the victim demanding the victim's property, according to police.

After taking the victim’s cell phone and $3, the suspect fled heading west on Musgrave Street, police said.

Then, just minutes later at 4:35 p.m. on the 6300 block of Chew Avenue, a victim was approached by a man who pulled out a handgun and forced the victim into a vacant garage, police said. Inside the garage, the suspect took the victim's iPhone6 and fled, police said.

Then at about 4:40 p.m. on Nov. 26, a victim was walking on the 40 block of East Pleasant Street when a man pulled a gun on the victim and forced the victim into an alley, police said. In the alley, the suspect forced the victim to take their clothes off, then sexually assaulted the victim, according to police.

Descriptions of the suspects in all three cases are similar. All victims described the suspect as a black male in either his late teens or early 20s, between 5 feet 10 inches at 6 feet tall with a brown or dark complexion and thin build.

During the Nov. 20 incidents, police said he was wearing a green and black hooded sweatshirt and gray pants.

On Nov. 26, the suspect was wearing a black jacket with white striping on the collar and waist, and a red lettered logo "Bellargo Piarge" on the back, as well as blue jeans.

If you see the suspect do not approach him. Instead, contact 911 immediately.

Tips can be submitted by calling (215) 686-8477, texting them to 773847, by using this electronic form to submit a tip anonymously. All tips will be confidential.

If you have any information about this crime or these suspects, please contact the Northwest Detective Division at (215) 686-3353 or (215) 686-3354

Image via Philadelphia Police