The body of a man found in the trunk of a car parked in Grays Ferry has been linked to the double homicide of two New Castle, Del., women in Chester, police said. The man was identified as Maurice Goodman, 35, from New Castle, Del.
At about 3 a.m. Monday on the 1200 block of South 27th Street near Federal, Goodman’s body was found wrapped in a blanket inside the trunk of a 2008 Cadillac rental, Lt. Frank Vanore of the Police Public Affairs Unit said. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:48 a.m. from asphyxiation and blunt force trauma to the head, Medical Examiner spokesman Jeff Moran said.
"Somehow they believe that this male is connected to the Chester murders and we are working closely with Delaware authorities," Vanore said, adding, "We believe [Goodman’s] murder took place outside Philadelphia. There is no evidence that the crime occurred in South Philly."
The victim’s body was found a little less than two hours after his family reported him missing. Aided by an OnStar GPS unit in the car he had rented, Philadelphia police were able to locate Goodman.
New Castle County Police spokesman Cpl. Trinidad Navarro said he could not release any details about how authorities know the victims are connected since the investigation is ongoing with the recent discovery of a third victim. "It’s obvious that they are connected, but I can’t get into how. There is a connection that we cannot reveal at this time," Navarro told the Review.
The triple slaying has left a trail of crime scenes in Wilmington, Chester and South Philly. Shortly after noon Sunday, Delaware police found blood stains and signs of arson inside 33-year-old victim Jeanea Irvin’s rowhome at 39 N. Canon Drive in Wilmington, Navarro said. Her friend Elegant McGriff, 30, was the other slaying victim. Both women were found fatally shot execution-style in a garbage-filled alley in Chester shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
To report information on any of the homicides, call New Castle County Police at 302-395-8171.
Stabbed in the arm
Police arrested a young woman after she allegedly knifed her uncle with whom she lives during an altercation on the 2000 block of Manton Street.
Venus Hicks, 20, was charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime after Saturday’s incident shortly before 8 p.m.
After being stabbed twice in the right arm with a steak knife, the 57-year-old victim ran from the dwelling to 17th District headquarters, a block away, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detective Division said. From there, he went to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in stable condition.
Officers went to the victim’s home, where they found Hicks and charged her.
Bad blood
A gun battle between two cousins ended with both wounded and one arrested.
An unknown argument triggered the discord at about 4:10 p.m. Oct. 10 at a dwelling on the 400 block of Christian Street, police said.
Police responding to a report of gunfire found a 20-year-old male lying on the floor of a home, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said. Seven .45-caliber spent casings were found in the dwelling and nine 9mm ones were recovered outside.
In critical condition with three wounds to his chest, stomach and left leg, the victim was rushed into surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
While police were at the hospital, they received word a 23-year-old was being treated at Temple University Hospital for a gunshot to his right leg, Chiaro said. That victim told detectives he was buying drugs at Fifth and Christian streets when an unknown male opened fire on him, the detective said. Police found two packets of crack cocaine on the victim, Lamar Scruggs from the 1800 block of Hoffman Street, and, as it turned out, connected him to the shooting of his cousin.
Scruggs was charged with possession for the drugs and aggravated and simple assault and related offenses for the shooting. The other male was still in critical condition at press time and had not been charged.
Victim fires back
A mugging victim drew his own gun and squeezed off five shots at two men, but missed, after they robbed him Oct. 10.
The victim was walking at about 8:40 p.m. on the 1600 block of Mifflin Street when the males converged, one pulling a revolver and demanding money, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.
The 31-year-old gave up $40 and his cell phone valued at $150 before discharging his 9mm.
The victim was unable to provide police with a description of his attackers, who fled on foot in an unknown direction.
Investigators recovered a .32-caliber revolver belonging to one of the attackers at the scene.
The victim was not charged in the incident because he had a valid permit to carry, Chiaro said.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Teeth knocked out
A mugging victim had some of his teeth knocked out and sustained cuts to his face on the 500 block of Wolf Street.
Two males approached the 18-year-old at about 1:10 a.m. Sunday and announced a stickup, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said. When the teen struggled, the duo roughed him up and swiped $30 and his cell phone valued at $150.
The perpetrators were described as black, age 18 to 20, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 and wearing dark hoodies and jeans.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Hungry thief
A man passed on money, but took the eats in the robbery of a Chinese food deliveryman at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
The 31-year-old victim was a half-block from the restaurant at 1800 S. 16th St. on his way to a delivery when the incident happened.
The offender struck the victim about his head with a metal bar, knocking him to the ground and opting for the hot food only, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.
The victim went to Jefferson Hospital, where he was treated for cuts to his forehead.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Pricey heist
More than $150,000 in cell phones were taken from a T-Mobile store at 2715 S. Front St.
When the manager opened the business at about 10:20 a.m. Sunday, he discovered the burglary. The victim noticed ceiling tiles on the floor, a heating duct removed from the ceiling and a storage door forced open, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.
About 507 phones were missing from the storage room.
Thieves gained entry by cutting through the dry wall of a vacant store next door, then disarming the T-Mobile shop’s alarm system by cutting its wires, the detective said.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Become a crossing guard
The City of Philadelphia has launched an application drive for school crossing guards. The salary is $51.48 to $53.48 per day.
Along with passing the written test, candidates must be able to read and write English; be a Philadelphia resident for the year immediately prior to employment; be available to work part-time throughout the school term, often in inclement weather; and be available for 90 minutes in the morning, one hour at noon and 90 minutes in the afternoon.
A written exam is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 8.
The processing fee is $17 and applications may be picked up at all local police districts. Deadline for submission is Oct. 26.
For more information, call Sgt. Holmes at 215-686-1444.
NEWSBRIEFMaking a clean sweep
A Streets Department project that began Oct. 9 and will continue throughout the city until Nov. 23 comes to South Philadelphia Oct. 29.
The full-service, citywide cleaning plan includes Sweep Officers patrolling the area to address sanitation-code violations and Streets Department employees equipped with backpack blowers and hand brooms to remove litter and debris, followed by mechanical brooms and flushers.
During this initiative, the residential Mechanical Street Cleaning Program will be suspended.
The Streets Department will utilize its automated community notification phone system as a means of communicating with residents about this project. Residents will receive a weekly call advising them of when the Streets Department will come out to clean their community. Also, Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee Clean Block Officers will follow up with notices and tips on how to beautify and maintain the quality of life in their neighborhood.
For more information, contact the Planning and Public Affairs Office at 215-686-5582.
