🌱 Facebook Armed Robbery + R.I.P. Caiman + $1,000 to Pregnant Mothers

Hello all. It's me, Patty-Pat Kozlowski, your host of the Philadelphia Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally. Including news on...

• A Facebook Marketplace transaction to buy a luxury watch, turned into armed robbery.
• The caiman found in the lakes of FDR Park had to be euthanized because no reptile sanctuary could take care of it.
• The Philly Joy Bank is hoping to give $1,000 a month to pregnant mothers to battle infant fatality rates.

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But first, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 67 Low: 51.

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Here are the top three stories today in Philadelphia:

1. Psst, wanna buy a watch? A Facebook Marketplace luxury watch transaction turned into armed robbery when the buyer robbed the seller at gunpoint. Both parties agreed to meet at the PNC Bank parking lot on Rising Sun Avenue in Feltonville. But the buyer put a gun to the seller's back and took his backpack filled with Rolex watches and a checkbook before driving away in a Dodge Durango.
2. See you later, alligator. "Cayman," the 3-foot mini alligator/caiman found in Philadelphia's FDR Park lake earlier this month, was euthanized after animal sanctuaries and reptile rescues couldn't take him and provide care. Caimans are not native to the United States and are illegal to have as pets. The theory is that someone bought the reptile online and the gator grew too large forcing the owner to put him in FDR's lakes. (Scranton Times-Tribune)
3. Philadelphia has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the 10 most popular cities in America. With those unfortunate statistics, the Philly Joy Bank and Philadelphia Department of Health want to launch a trial program to give $1,000 monthly cash payments to expectant mothers who live in poverty-stricken areas. (New York Post)

Today in Philadelphia:

• NLArts Board Meeting - Liberty Lands Community Garden (5:30 PM)
• Eamon Ore-Giron: Black Medallions, No Gold (6:00 PM)
• ROMONA PRESENTS TRANSFORMATIONS THROUGH TIME FEATURING HOUSTON PERSON & AARON GRAVES (6:30 PM)
• Historic Architecture Review Board - Lansdowne Borough (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Gas to go! The corner of 20th and Arch Streets has had a structure that stood out like it was a blast from the past-and it was! A 1930s Gulf Gas Station, complete with decorative brick and mosaic tiles was razed and transported to its new home in Fairmount Park, Check out NBC 10's video of the transport of the historic little gas shack-Historic Center City Gas Station Moving to Philly's Fairmount Park – NBC10 Philadelphia (nbcphiladelphia.com)
• ACCT Philly: "The dogs here at ACCT are feeling very nostalgic and wanted to go back to the 80s! 🪩 Huge thanks to Bokeh Lane Photography 📸 for such great photos and to Sitrin Consulting for organizing, and a huge thanks to our volunteers." (ACCT Philly via Facebook)
• McGillin's Gets Punk'd! Irish eyes were smilin' and laughing when the staff at McGillin's thought that Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi was at their pub on St. Paddy's Day. He wasn't but a twin imposter was bought a few beers. (PhillyVoice.com)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you soon!

— Patty-Pat Kozlowski

About me: Patty-Pat Kozlowski has been writing community news and Philly-cenric Op/Eds for over 20 years. A Jill of all trades she's been a stand-up comedian, chef, DJ, newspaper editor, food trucker and Parks Director for Philadelphia Parks & Rec as well as a community relations/legislative aide for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Philadelphia City Council.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Philadelphia Patch newsletter? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com