Police arrested one of two men they say terrorized a 75-year-old woman after they broke into her home and robbed her at gunpoint.
Two men burst into an elderly woman’s home Sunday and robbed her at gunpoint, but the victim’s son may have saved the day when he startled the culprits, police said.
Police arrested Andre Jones, 19, of the 1400 block of South 21st Street, but his alleged accomplice is still at large, said Detective Jim Dunlap of South Detective Division.
Shortly after 9 a.m., Jones and another man allegedly barged into the 75-year-old victim’s home on the 1400 block of Castle Avenue, said the detective. One of the intruders pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded money, Dunlap said. After the woman turned over $10, the assailants allegedly dragged her through the house in search of more money, the detective said.
The men took off when the victim’s son walked in, Dunlap said.
The woman was not harmed in the incident.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Robbers after dough
A driver for Wolf Street Pizza was robbed of his wallet — containing $100 — and cell phone while making a delivery Friday night, police said.
Three teens, ages 14-19, grabbed the 32-year-old victim from behind as he returned to his car on the 1900 block of Mountain Street around 9:30 p.m., said Detective Jim Dunlap of South Detectives.
Earlier this summer, the 17th District experienced a rash of pizza delivery holdups, Capt. Jerrold Bates told the Review. In an effort to curb the pattern of violence, Bates met with local pizza shop owners to discuss preventive measures, such as keeping drivers from carrying a lot of cash and having customers come out to the car instead of the driver going up to the house, the captain noted.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Bike groper suspect in court
The man accused of violating women as he rode past them on his bicycle had a court date Tuesday at which his next status hearing was set for Monday; he will get a trial date at that hearing.
Alejandro Jorge Perez, 27, from the 2400 block of South Marshall Street, is charged with multiple counts of indecent and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment, said the District Attorney’s Office. The suspect is accused of nearly a dozen gropings that took place during July and August in South Philly and Center City, officials said.
Perez was arrested Aug. 11 on the 1300 block of South Columbus Boulevard, following a positive ID by a victim he allegedly groped earlier that evening at Second and Lombard streets, police said.
Officials laud drug bust
Narcotics officers say they have cut off a man they describe as a "major supplier" in the South, Southwest and West Philly drug trade.
Kevin Walker, 43, of the 1800 block of South 22nd Street, was arrested Aug. 19 and charged with possession, possession with intent to deliver, manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, and firearms violations, Narcotics Bureau Inspector Steve Sullivan told the Review.
"It’s our philosophy in drug enforcement not only to target the street dealer, but to target the supplier. Find the source — who is keeping the dealers supplied?" said Capt. Dave Testa of Narcotics Field Unit South.
The captain added that while police want to nail dealers, one dealer will always replace another.
An ongoing investigation brought officials to someone known as "Cadillac Kevin," who was a suspected major source in the area, Testa said.
Surveillance of Walker’s home and other intelligence led police to obtain a search and seizure warrant of the suspect’s property on the evening of Aug. 19, the captain said.
Authorities confiscated 3-1/2 kilograms of cocaine — with a street value of $334,503 — two loaded guns (a .357 magnum and a 9 mm) and $8,146 cash, Testa said.
Federal agents may pick up the job, the captain added.
Tip leads to drug arrest
An anonymous tip phoned into the Gun Recovery Reward Information Program (GRRIP)’s 24-hour hotline resulted in a recent raid of a local home and subsequent arrest, police said.
Implemented July 10, the new Police Department program provides cash rewards up to $1,000 for anonymous information leading to an illegal weapons arrest.
"In the short time that it’s been in existence, we feel very positive about the preliminary results of the program," said Narcotics Bureau Inspector Steve Sullivan.
Since GRRIP’s inception, police have conducted 15 investigations, resulting in the same number of arrests, Sullivan said.
Authorities have confiscated 40 guns — 20 firearms, 15 handguns, three rifles and two shotguns — and seized narcotics with a collective street value of $37,000, the inspector said.
"As a result of going after the guns, we’re also getting a lot of narcotics," Sullivan added.
According to the inspector, the Aug. 21 raid of 731 Tree St. was the result of a tip phoned into the GRRIP hotline. The caller stated a man at that location was selling marijuana and also was in illegal possession of firearms, said the inspector.
During their investigation, police observed illegal sales of marijuana at the dwelling, Sullivan said. An undercover narcotics officer went in for a $20 buy around 4 p.m. Aug. 21, officials said.
Later that evening, authorities served a search and seizure warrant at the residence and arrested the homeowner, John DeGregorio, 34, without incident, Sullivan said.
Officers confiscated 72 grams of marijuana, one Bersa 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, one Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol, paraphernalia and $356,000, the inspector said.
Three law-enforcement officials became infested with fleas while providing backup in the rear of the location, police said. The three were decontaminated at Northeastern Hospital and returned to duty.
The raid led to further information on the illegal trafficking of firearms and a follow-up investigation is in progress, officials said.
To report information, call the 24-hour hotline at 215-683-GUNS.
