Cocked and loaded

Seventeenth District police responding to a report Sunday of a person with a gun on the 1200 block of Bucknell Street arrived to spot two teens with a sawed-off shotgun and, after a brief foot chase, arrested them, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detective Division said.

Arriving at about 12:10 p.m., the officers observed one suspect pass the weapon to the other before both took off on foot with officers in pursuit, Morley said, adding, during the escape, one male dropped a plastic bag containing three live shotgun shells. Officers caught up to the pair a couple of blocks from Bucknell on the 1200 block of South 24th Street, where they recovered the discarded shotgun, loaded with one live round and the trigger cocked, in a yard on that block, the detective said.

The suspects were identified as a 16-year-old from the 2000 block of Norwood Street and his 17-year-old friend from the 1200 block of Bonsell Street. Both were charged with several weapons violations, including a minor in possession, carrying without a license and carrying on the street.

---

Charged in two crimes

A 29-year-old from the 2100 block of Sigel Street was charged with two Point Breeze crimes that happened this month and last on the same street but involved different victims.

Jamie Smith, AKA Khalid Beyah, was taken into custody at about 10 p.m. last Thursday on his block, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said. Two days earlier, police said Smith walked into Jazz U Up barbershop at 1900 S. 19th St. at about 11:25 a.m. and approached a 37-year-old customer. Throwing him against a wall while displaying a 9mm handgun, Smith wanted to know if he had been snitching, Morley said.

The suspect then allegedly ripped the man’s gold chain off his neck and swiped $152 from his pockets before leaving the premises. Police did not have a value for the jewelry.

For that incident, Smith was charged with aggravated assault, robbery and related offenses.

The second alleged crime resulting in charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, firearms violations, possession of an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person was an April 22 shooting on the 1900 block of South 19th Street. The suspect and the 43-year-old victim exchanged words before Smith allegedly pulled a gun and squeezed off four shots — three in the victim’s left wrist and one in his right thigh, Morley said.

The injured party went to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in stable condition.

---

One arrest, more on the way

A teen was taken into custody and charged with a March 20 shooting and robbery on the 1000 block of Oregon Avenue and detectives say more arrests are pending.

At about 3:10 p.m. Friday, 18-year-old Joseph Genovese was nabbed on his block on the 3100 block of South Juniper Street, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said. Genovese and several other males allegedly shot and robbed a 21-year-old, sending him to HUP in stable condition with several wounds to both legs and his left hand. Five hundred dollars was swiped from the victim, as well, Morley said.

Genovese was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and firearms violations.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

---

Not fare

An Olde City Cab driver was lucky to escape with his life when three fares held him up.

Shortly after midnight Monday, the 37-year-old picked up the men on the 2000 block of South Croskey Street, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said. Inside the vehicle, one pressed a rifle to the driver’s head and told him to give it up. After surrendering his BlackBerry, valued at about $200, the victim ran for his life, leaving the muggers inside the cab.

A couple blocks away, the victim flagged down a cop who drove him back to Croskey where they found the vehicle empty, Morley said.

All three offenders were described as black, but the cabbie could only provide details of the armed man’s appearance: age 20 to 25 with a dark complexion, light beard, thin build, about 5-foot-10 to 6 foot and wearing a dark brown sweater.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

---

Mugged visiting a friend

Two young ladies were robbed at gunpoint after they exited a taxi outside their friend’s house Friday morning.

Oddly enough, the 21- and 22-year-olds phoned the girl they were visiting, telling her they had arrived at 10:25 a.m. on the 600 block of South 20th Street. Moments later, an armed man approached from behind and demanded their purses, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said.

The perpetrator — described as black, Age 20 to 25, 5-foot-6 with a medium build and wearing a dark hoody and blue jeans — fled on foot, going east on South Street with a total of $90, credit cards and a personal check for $2,000.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

---

Armed robbery

Approaching with a dark-colored handgun, a man mugged a couple after they exited their car and were walking into a dwelling on the 2000 block of South 13th Street.

The 64-year-old and his 52-year-old wife became victims of the crime at about 10 p.m. Saturday, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said. Pointing the firearm at the spouses, the offender ordered them to turn over their belongings.

The woman gave up her Coach handbag, valued at about $250, while the man turned over his wallet, cell phone and keys.

The perpetrator took off on foot, going west on McKean Street. He was described as black, about age 18, about 5-foot-6 and wearing a dark hoody and dark pants.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

---

Cash, car stolen

Three males accosted another as he entered a home on the 1400 block of Bancroft Street and took $310 and his silver 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora.

The 36-year-old was about to enter the dwelling at about 12:45 a.m. May 4 when three males with guns forced him inside and wanted to know where the drugs and money were, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said. Once inside, the trio began ransacking the dwelling, taking the cash and the victim’s keys to his wheels with tinted windows.

The perpetrators drove away in an unknown direction and were described as black, ages 18 to 25 and 140 pounds. One was about 6 foot and had on a black hoody; another was about 5-foot-10 and wore a white bandana over his face, while the third donned a black hooded sweatshirt and baseball cap.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

---

Automated victim notification system

Often, victims want to know when the person who harmed them is being released from jail and now they can find out through a new automated notification system. District Attorney Lynne Abraham and Philadelphia Prison Commissioner Louis Giorla held a press conference yesterday to announced this new tool to aid crime victims.

The Pennsylvania Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification helps victims track the status of an offender in the Philadelphia Prison System.

The initiative is part of a new, statewide system expected to be available by October in all 63 counties that have jails. Pennsylvania is one of 13 states to receive funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a statewide program.

The Philadelphia Prison System houses 23 percent of all county incarcerated inmates in Pennsylvania, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Under Philadelphia’s manual notification system, more than 200 victims a month choose to be made aware their offender has been released, transferred, or, in rare cases, escaped.

Victims may register for the service by phone or e-mail, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information is available at 866-972-7284 from a live operator or at www.pacrimevictims.state.pa.us.

Implementation of the system is a joint project of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Contact Staff Writer Lorraine Gennaro at lgennaro@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.