Several Sought After Assault, Robbery Pattern Developed In Philly

PHILADELPHIA — Police in Philadelphia are investigating five highway robberies that they believe are all connected.

In each case, the suspects either displayed or used a hammer during the robberies.

The offenders are wearing the same clothing in each of the robberies and fled the areas in a white Acura with a temporary New Jersey license plate reading 7843743T.

Police said the first incident occurred at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at the Fox Chase playground, 7901 Ridgeway.

The victim, a 13 year-old-male, was approached by four men wearing dark masks. One of the men pulled out a handgun as the others attacked the victim.

One suspect took the victim's black "Bape" hoodie while another male took his black New Balance sneakers. The other two suspects started to punch, kick, then stomp on the victim as he was knocked to the ground. While on the ground, one of the suspects pulled out a hammer and struck the complainant on the arms, legs and, forehead. The four suspects then ran to a waiting white Acura SUV, possible newer model, and sped off.

• Suspect #1: White male, 13-16 years-of-age, 5’6”, 120-130lbs and wearing a mask.
• Suspect #2: Black male, 13-16 years-of-age, 5’6” and wearing a mask.
• Suspect #3: Black male, 13-16 years-of-age, 5’8”-5’10” and wearing a mask.
• Suspect #4: Black male, 13-16 years-of-age, 5’6” and wearing a mask.

The second incident occurred about an hour later at 5:18 p.m. Dec. 20.

The victim was waiting for the bus at Adams and Rising Sun Avenues when he was approached by the suspects, who punched him and told him to drop his things. The victim complied, and the offenders took his bag, which contained his school Chromebook and Yeezy sneakers. One of the suspects had displayed a hammer.

• Suspect #1: Black male, red “Bape“ hoody, and armed with a hammer.
• Suspect #2: Black male, wearing a purple “Bape” hoody.

On Thursday, Dec. 31, another victim was on the 5700 block of Rising Sun Avenue at about 12:25 p.m. when the suspects approached him and demanded his sneakers.

The suspects then knocked him to the ground and took his Panda Dunk sneakers.

One of the suspects then pulled out a small sledgehammer.

They drove off in a white Acura MDX with the same temporary New Jersey license as listed above.. 24th & 25th district police located the vehicle, but it was lost in the area of 7th & Lehigh.

• Suspect: #1: White male, 5’4”, wearing a purple Bape hoody.
• Suspect #2: Black male, “Nasir”, 5’10” wearing a black mask.
• Suspect #3: Black female, “Rachelle Dever”, red hair.
• Suspect #4: Black male, 5’10” and wearing a mask.
• Suspect #5: Black male, 5’4”.
• Suspect #6: White female.

About three hours later, another incident occurred at 20th Street and Cheltenham Avenue.

Police were called to the area at about 3:19 p.m. for a radio call person with a weapon.

The victim told police he was walking west on Cheltenham when three unknown black men wearing all black clothing and ski masks approached him, yelling "Give me your sneakers." One of the suspects then hit him in the head with a hammer and attempted to take the victim’s shoes, but were unsuccessful.

The suspects then fled on foot in an unknown direction.

The victim suffered a laceration to the right side of his head and was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center.

Lastly, at about 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 21, police said a victim was Krewstown and Surrey roads when he realized he was about to be attacked when six to seven people, all wearing black Nike ski masks, ran up to him.

The victim then ran into the middle of the street when the suspects attacked him. One suspect, a thin black male wearing all black, was swinging a black and yellow hammer at him while the other suspects were kicking and punching him.

The victim fought back but was overwhelmed, and the suspects took his bicycle and shoes, but was able to recover his bicycle.

The suspects then fled in a red or orange Kia SUV.

Police said the victim also said that a white SUV had been driving behind him prior to the robbery, and he believes that vehicle is also affiliated with the suspects.

The red or orange SUV fled and was last seen west on Surrey Road and then turned north on Alton Street where it was lost.

• Suspect Description: Six unknown black males wearing all dark clothing and masks.

Anyone who has information on these incidents should contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-8477 or submit a tip online here.