Police officers returned fire after they caught the man breaking into an auto shop — which turned out to be his father’s place.
Police shot and killed a burglary suspect after he allegedly opened fire on them while fleeing the scene.
Gregory Magee, 28, was pronounced dead at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania shortly after Sunday’s 11 p.m. incident, said Sgt. Roland Lee of the Police Public Affairs Unit.
The sergeant confirmed Magee’s residence as being on the 2000 block of South Bancroft Street, but according to other sources, the suspect lived in Marlton, N.J. The drama unfolded when two First District officers saw Magee kicking in the door at 2022 S. Bancroft St., Lee said.
Magee’s father reportedly owns the building, an auto-body shop.
After the officers told the suspect to stop, he fled and fired one round at them, said Lee. As the suspect and police rounded the corner of the 1500 block of West Passyunk Avenue, Magee fired again and officers returned fire, killing him, the sergeant said.
According to police, Magee fired a small caliber semi-automatic weapon, which investigators recovered at the scene.
As with all police shootings, Internal Affairs is investigating the incident.
Wanted in bank holdup
The FBI is seeking the public’s help in identifying the man who robbed the First Union Bank at 2039 S. 10th St. on Tuesday.
The perpetrator entered the bank around 10:20 a.m. and waited in line for a teller to become available, said Linda Vizi, spokesperson for the FBI. He then presented the teller with a demand note and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.
The culprit is considered armed and dangerous, Vizi said. He is about 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, and was wearing a white T-shirt, black back supporter and yellow and black baseball cap with a football insignia.
To report information, call the FBI at 215-418-4000.
Trio of muggings
Three people were the targets of two separate armed robberies early Saturday on their typically quiet Queen Village block, police said.
One of the victims, a 49-year-old man, told the Review he was walking on the 300 block of Queen Street around 1:45 a.m. when two armed men approached and tried to take his bag.
"When I saw the gun, I said, ‘Take it,’" the victim reported.
The culprits made off with the bag containing two cell phones and a wallet with cash, credit cards and ID.
Moments earlier, two of the victim’s neighbors — a 28-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman — also were robbed, police said. Taken in that holdup were jewelry, cell phones and cash.
The robbers fled east on Queen and north on Third Street after the second heist, police said.
Preteen charged with arson
The Lucky Laundromat was anything but when a 12-year-old allegedly ignited a fire in the bathroom Sunday morning and caused at least $500 worth of damage.
Authorities charged the juvenile with arson and related offenses, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detective Division.
Seventeenth District police responding to a report of fire on the 1700 block of Annin Street at 11:30 a.m. Sunday were met by the laundromat’s owner, who told them the suspect was washing clothes there, the sergeant said.
The owner held the suspect, from the 1800 block of Manton Street, until police and the fire department arrived, said Biello.
The blaze originated in a trash can and extended to the wall.
Esposito’s arsonist pleads guilty
A former Esposito Meats employee, accused of torching the establishment last year to cover up theft, pleaded guilty in federal court June 23 to one count of arson, officials said.
Mark Centuollo, 27, of the 1400 block of South Ninth Street, is being held without bail, said Rich Manieri, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
U.S. District Judge Clarence C. Newcomer scheduled Centuollo’s sentencing for Oct. 14, Manieri added.
The defendant faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. Manieri said Centuollo also could be ordered to pay $1.6 million in restitution to Esposito’s insurance company, which covered the loss.
The March 21, 2002 blaze destroyed the entire building on the 1100 block of South Ninth Street, but it since has been rebuilt and reopened last October.
According to the indictment, Centuollo worked on and off for A. Esposito Inc. between 1998 and 2001, Manieri told the Review. He was fired in May 2001 after a store surveillance video camera recorded him stealing $4,500 from the office, authorities said.
On March 21, 2002, Centuollo returned and broke into the office, stole $6,000 and then torched the establishment in an effort to destroy the video camera, said Manieri.
Keep holiday from fizzling
Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Philadelphia Fire Department has issued safety tips for fireworks and cookouts.
The only legal fireworks for sale or use in Philadelphia are sparklers.
National statistics note that every year, some 12,000 people in the United States are injured by fireworks; more than half of those victims are children. Hands, wrists and eyes are the most commonly injured areas, with finger amputations occurring frequently. Permanent vision loss occurs in about one-third of the eye injuries resulting from fireworks.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Harold B. Hairston is urging citizens to leave fireworks in the hands of the professionals and enjoy one of the public displays planned for the holiday weekend.
In addition, the Philadelphia Fire Prevention Code prohibits the use of portable cooking equipment on porches, balconies or decks. Use of barbecue grills is permitted only on ground level (yards and patios). When in use, grills should be no closer than 15 feet from any surface. When a liquid fire starter is used to light charcoal, only charcoal lighter fluids should be used. Gasoline, kerosene or any other flammable or combustible liquid should not be used.
Grills should not be left unattended, and small children and pets should be kept away from the cooking area. When a gas barbecue grill is not in use, shut off the gas at the tank and store it in an outdoor location away from children and direct sunlight.
PDAC to meet
The Third District Police Advisory Council meets the second Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will be Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at Third District headquarters, 1300 S. 11th St.
PDAC was created by former Police Commissioner Willie Williams to facilitate communication between the police department and citizens. Third District Capt. Mike Weaver and Community Relations Officer Ace Delgado attend the local meetings.
For more information, call Third District PDAC recording secretary John H. Morley Jr., 215-923-5225.
