A lovers’ quarrel climaxed with a man being knifed in the back and his 24-year-old girlfriend arrested.
The 44-year-old victim was taken to St. Agnes Medical Center in good condition after the 10:30 p.m. incident on April 7, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detective Division.
The victim told police the pair had been arguing inside their home on the 1800 block of South Mole Street when the woman picked up a knife and plunged it into the upper left side of his back, Biello said.
Taneeya Garrison was charged with aggravated and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime, said the sergeant.
Investigators recovered a knife at the scene.
Robbers shoot victim
A man managed to stagger to the corner of his block and summon help after four strangers barged into his home and shot him during a botched robbery, police said.
The incident happened at 6 p.m. Sunday on the 2100 block of South Garnet Street, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
Seventeenth District police found the victim at 20th and Opal streets with a gunshot wound to his chest, the sergeant said.
The 18-year-old victim told police four men broke into his home and demanded money. After he said he had none, one of them fired a single shot, striking him in the chest.
The victim was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in stable condition after the incident.
As of yesterday, detectives were still seeking the suspects, Biello said.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
No injuries in gunfight
Ballistics evidence and damage to a car were the only signs of a gun battle that broke out Sunday night on the 2800 block of Sheridan Street.
Fourth District police responded to a report of gunfire shortly after 9 p.m., said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
Witnesses told investigators a man was walking south on Sheridan when a car carrying four males pulled up alongside him. The pedestrian and the men inside the car starting firing at each other, police said.
None of the shooters was wounded. Police recovered numerous 9 mm casings and projectiles.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Beware bicycle bandits
A man on a bicycle robbed two teenage girls as they were walking on the 1300 block of Jackson Street last Thursday.
The bike bandit chased down the 13- and 15-year-old victims and flashed a silver handgun in the 9:45 p.m. incident, said Inspector Bill Colarulo of the Police Public Affairs Unit.
The thief scored $3 for his trouble, the inspector said.
"I’m starting to see a pattern throughout the city where people are using bicycles and they’re robbing people," said Colarulo.
Women in particular need to be attentive, as cyclists can approach quickly and quietly and snatch a purse, the inspector added.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Robber targets teen girls
Detectives are investigating a rash of purse snatchings in which an armed man confronts teenage girls. Police believe the same man is responsible for three recent incidents, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
In two of the three incidents, the offender approached the victim and asked for directions, the sergeant said.
The first robbery occurred April 7 at 9:55 p.m. on the 1500 block of Shunk Street. The assailant approached the victim, grabbed her handbag and fled, said Biello.
The next night at 9:30 near Ninth and Oregon, a man pointed a black handgun at the victim and swiped her purse, containing house keys and ID, the sergeant said.
Twenty minutes later at 16th and Wolf, a man tried to grab a victim’s Louis Vuitton handbag, and when she wouldn’t let go of it, he told her, "I have no problem shooting you," according to reports.
The thief made off with the designer purse, containing a Nextel cell phone.
All of the victims were 14 years old.
Detectives described the perpetrator as a Hispanic male, 20-25 years of age and 5-foot-8 with a stocky build.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
The trials of Beanie Sigel
Rapper Beanie Sigel pleaded guilty to federal drug and weapons charges last Thursday.
The 30-year-old, whose real name is Dwight Grant, faces a total maximum sentence of 11 years, a $350,000 fine and three years of supervised release at his July 8 sentencing, according to the plea agreement obtained from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Douglas asked Judge R. Barclay Surrick to revoke Sigel’s $1-million bail, but the judge let the rapper walk free pending sentencing. Surrick said he didn’t feel the defendant was a flight risk or a danger to the community, said a source with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The fact that Sigel, a South Philly native, failed a drug test in February didn’t seem to faze Surrick, who instead cited the rapper’s recent round of community service, which includes lecturing area school kids about the perils of drugs.
Jury selection started Monday for another of Sigel’s trials in Common Pleas Court. The defendant is charged with attempted murder, weapons violations and related offenses for the July 1, 2003 shooting of Terrance Speller, 26, outside a Southwest Philly bar.
Next on Sigel’s judicial agenda is another trial for charges of breaking a 53-year-old man’s eye-socket bone outside a bar in North Philly. Those proceedings are scheduled to start in the fall.
The rapper, who has been under house arrest since last fall, wrapped up filming last month on State Property 2, the sequel to State Property, in which he plays a drug dealer named Beans. Sigel also just finished recording his third CD.
D.A. sells former drug house
At a well-attended albeit rainy press conference yesterday morning, District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham sold a former drug house for a mere $1 to Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, 1705 Point Breeze Ave.
The Rev. Alfonso Ballard has agreed to renovate the property at 2227 Moore St. and convert it into a community center that will provide a host of services.
"God is good!" exclaimed the elated pastor.
Ballard said his vision was 13 years in the making. Ever since he started in the ministry, he had wanted to purchase a home close to his church to use for community service, he told the Review.
The pastor, who is also a member of the police clergy, said he plans to offer drug-abuse counseling, afterschool programs and services, family counseling and a food program.
Acting on a tip phoned into the police department’s Narcotics Hotline, an informant made several heroin buys from 2227 Moore St. Following the undercover buys and surveillance, Narcotics Field Unit South officers served a search warrant in December 2002 and recovered six bundles of heroin, quantities of crack and marijuana, and a loaded .38-caliber handgun and ammunition.
Arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and weapons violations were Vance Jordan, 25, of the 1200 block of South 21st Street; Latif Cousin, 18, of the 2300 block of Wilder Street; and Edwinina Staples, 32, of the 1900 block of South Norwood Street.
Since 1992, Abraham has been turning over deeds to former drug houses for a mere $1 to nonprofit organizations. Last July, 427 McClellan St. was sold to Sunrise of Philadelphia Inc., who planned to use the home as a living workshop to teach high-school students the building trade. Under the agreement to take ownership of a former drug property, the occupant may not sell or transfer the dwelling within three years. Under the Drug Act, properties must be donated.
Police to hold party
Police, firefighters, deputy sheriffs and other public-safety professionals who belong to Custodes Pacis Lodge #2085, Order Sons of Italy in America, are hosting a concert and buffet. The event will take place April 25, 2-7 p.m., at Viking Hall, Swanson and Ritner streets.
The Fabulous Greaseband will perform. Beer, soda and setups are included at the BYOB event.
Tickets are $35 in advance. Call Ron Peluzzo, 215-342-9767, or visit the Web page at www.custodespacis.org.
