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Shot in the head

While riding his bike on the 1300 block of Carpenter Street, a 23-year-old was gunned down by a group of eight to 10 males.

At about 6:15 p.m. last Thursday, the thugs asked the man what he was looking at and, when he didn’t respond, one of them fired at least a half-dozen rounds at him, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detective Division said.

The victim was admitted to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in stable condition with a gunshot to the left side of his head. He was unable to provide police with a description of his attackers, Chiaro said.

Investigators recovered six 9mm spent casings at the scene and one semiautomatic handgun of the same caliber from nearby bushes.

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


Knifed in back

An arrest is pending for a man who stabbed a woman in her upper back.

The 39-year-old and the offender were feuding about money last Thursday on the 2000 block of Reed Street when he pulled a knife on her, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.

After the incident shortly before 11:30 p.m., the woman went to HUP in stable condition.

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


Stabbed three times

A 17-year-old allegedly knifed her 30-year-old boyfriend in the arm three times during a verbal dispute in a residence on the 2800 block of Cantrell Street.

An arrest is pending for the teen who fled the scene prior to police arrival shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.

With three wounds to his upper left arm, the victim went to HUP in stable condition.


A bullet to the foot

A man on a bike shot a teen in the foot during a botched robbery shortly after midnight Sunday.

The offender pedaled up to the 18-year-old on the 1500 block of South 24th Street and demanded money, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.

When the target refused, the robber unloaded one round at the teen before fleeing in an unknown direction.

The wounded male was treated and released from HUP.

The perpetrator was described as about 5-foot-8 and wearing a black ski mask and shirt, pants and boots of that color.

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


Attempted luring

The Special Victims Unit is investigating the coaxing of a 12-year-old girl Friday on the 2000 block of Norwood Street.

The victim was outside a dwelling shortly before 5 a.m. when a man in a blue Jeep pulled up, asked for directions and opened his driver-side door while he motioned for the girl to get in, Sgt. Joe McEntee of the Special Victims Unit said.

The perpetrator was described as black, 30 years old and bald with a dark complexion.

To report information, call the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3264.


Punched in face

After failing to strike up a conversation with a woman, a man punched the 29-year-old in the face.

The incident happened shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday on the 700 block of South 18th Street, Special Victims Unit Sgt. Joe McEntee said.

The victim told investigators the man — described as black, in his 20s, about 5-foot-10 and cleanshaven — rode up on a bike and tried to chat with her before delivering the blow.

To report information, call the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3264.


Car chase ends in South Philly

Two alleged carjackers from Southwest were arrested here after leading an off-duty cop on a chase.

At about 6:45 p.m. Dec. 29, the officer spotted the carjacking of a 38-year-old on the 2800 block of Bittern Place, Capt. Benjamin Naish of the Police Public Affairs Unit told the Review. The cop took off in his personal vehicle after the suspects, who fired at him twice during a pursuit through Southwest and into South Philly.

"He returned fire at some point during the course of this chase," Naish said of the officer.

Traveling over the Passyunk Avenue Bridge then down Broad Street in the stolen 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis, the men were tailed by the officer as they proceeded east on Oregon Avenue. When the suspects turned north onto Sixth Street, they got stuck in traffic at Ritner Street, where they ditched the wheels and made a run for it, the captain said.

Backup officers who converged on the scene arrested Antwan White, 21, from the 5400 block of Angorra Terrace, a few blocks away, Naish said. White was charged with aggravated and simple assault, robbery, theft and related offenses. Michael Grant, 27, from the 6000 block of Kingsessing Avenue, also was arrested and charged with the same. A high-ranking police source told the Review Grant was the gunman.

The officer who pursued the men was unharmed in the chase, but his vehicle sustained bullet damage, the captain said.

As with all police shootings, the officer has been assigned to administrative duty pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation.


Stay safe when the mercury drops

With temperatures expected to dip, home fires increase largely due to the use of portable heaters and candles, Fire Prevention Unit firefighter Tom Sroka said. Residents can remain safe this winter by following these guidelines:

•Have the home furnace inspected and serviced every year, preferably before the cold kicks in.

•Refill the fuel tank of a portable kerosene heater outdoors, never indoors or over fuel.

•Maintain an adequate space around all portable heaters; three feet is recommended.

•Keep children away from portable heaters, particularly when in pajamas.

•When using candles, be sure they are in sturdy, non-combustible holders.

•Never leave a candle burning in an unoccupied room.

•Extinguish candles before sleeping or napping.

•Never leave children or pets alone in a room with burning candles.

The fire department also recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector anywhere on a wall near a sleeping area. The unit does not have to be on a ceiling, Sroka said.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and non-irritating, but potentially fatal, gas. Poisoning symptoms include dizziness, headaches, nausea, sleepiness and flu-like symptoms.


Most wanted

Leonard Bellissima

Leonard Bellissima, 36, from the 2100 block of Carlisle Street, is wanted for allegedly breaking into MI Pal’s Deli and stealing about $800 worth of cigarettes, police said.

Shortly after 4 a.m. April 18, police were called to 2300 S. 16th St. for a report of a burglary. Officers observed the glass cut out of a front window and the area behind the counter ransacked with numerous packs of smokes taken. Fingerprints tied Bellissima to the scene, investigators said.

The suspect faces charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, possession of an instrument of crime and criminal mischief, according to an affidavit.

Bellissima was described as white, about 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes.

Timothy Pratt

A 26-year-old from the 1500 block of South Chadwick Street is being sought in connection to a domestic assault last month where he allegedly aimed a gun at his ex-girlfriend and threatened her.

Timothy Pratt faces charges of simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and firearms violations, according to an affidavit.

After confronting the 23-year-old at about 10 a.m. Dec. 11 regarding a letter she had about him seeing other women, police said Pratt pulled the firearm and lobbed the threat.

The suspect was described as black, about 5-foot-6 and 115 pounds with brown hair and eyes.

To report information on either Bellissima or Pratt, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

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