Killed in University City

Police arrested two men and charged them with the murder of a local following a brief car chase through University City early Sunday.

Nathaniel Crawford, 26, from the 2200 block of Fitzwater Street, was ambushed by bullets at 1:12 a.m. in front of University City Townhouses, 39th and Walnut streets, Officer Jill Russell of the Police Public Affairs Unit said. Crawford was shot multiple times in the chest, abdomen and back. He was taken to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he died shortly before 1:30 a.m.

University of Pennsylvania Police found Crawford and attempted to stop a blue Chevy in the area moments later, Russell said. After a brief pursuit, police nabbed Tyree Musier, 22, from the 3000 block of Stiles Street in the Fairmount section, and Jonte Slater, 23, from the 1000 block of Master Street in the Spring Garden section, on the 3800 block of Ludlow Street.

Crawford, according to court records, had a lengthy arrest and conviction record for drug dealing and related offenses dating back to 2001,

Detectives cited an argument as the motive for the slaying.

Slain in Southwark

A 29-year-old was gunned down Sunday morning on the 1700 block of South Fifth Street.

Police responding to a report of a shooting at 10:25 a.m. found Gerald Woods with bullets in his arms and torso, Officer Jill Russell of the Police Public Affairs Unit said. The victim, from the 1900 block of South Fifth, went to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:45 p.m. that same day.

Homicide investigators continue to search for a motive and suspect.

To report information, call the Homicide Division at 215-686-3334/5.

Money sparks violence

A verbal dispute over greenbacks allegedly triggered a double shooting June 19 on the 2500 block of Percy Street that killed one man and injured another.

Keo Synia, 25, from the 2500 block of South Sixth Street, died at 11:10 a.m., six hours after he and a 21-year-old friend were arguing with two males, a homicide source told the Review.

Police found both victims lying on the sidewalk, Synia with wounds to his back and legs and the younger man with a bullet to his right knee, Officer Tanya Little of the Police Public Affairs Unit said. The 21-year-old was treated and released from Jefferson Hospital.

The same day Synia died, police charged Hung Thach, 26, from the 2200 block of South Fifth Street, and Phiep Phoun, 26, from the 500 block of Johnston Street, with murder, attempted murder, aggravated and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.

3rd District officer shot

After 3rd District Officer Mark Uffelman was shot in the left shoulder, he continued his pursuit of his alleged triggerman several blocks until he nabbed him. A second alleged accomplice also was taken into custody.

Police said the two suspects, Rakin Thabit, 42, and Jonathan Massa, 22, both from Camden, N.J., were former convicts in the city they lived and Thabit allegedly pulled the trigger that wounded Uffelman. Charges had not been announced by press time.

Uffelman was treated and released from Jefferson Hospital after the 1:30 a.m. Tuesday incident, Lt. Frank Vanore of the Police Public Affairs Unit said.

Uffelman, 52, and 3rd District Officer David McAndrews — both in plainclothes and assisting homicide detectives in the investigation of the June 15 slaying of Beau Zabel at Eighth and Ellsworth streets — were on patrol in their cruiser when they spotted two men allegedly robbing another at Eighth and Fitzwater streets, the lieutenant said. When the cops approached on foot, the suspects fled. Uffelman pursued one south on Eighth, where the suspect allegedly turned and fired four to five rounds at the officer, Vanore said.

Wounded, the officer continued the chase to the 800 block of Mildred Street, where he arrested the suspect and recovered a revolver, the lieutenant said.

Meanwhile, McAndrews, 35, had trailed the other suspect and took him into custody, recovering a loaded 9mm handgun as well, at Eighth and Christian streets, Vanore said.

Nothing was taken during the attempted robbery.

Reward grows for teacher’s killer

What started as $10,000 has grown to a $20,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of whoever killed Beau Zabel, the young man gunned down at about 1:30 a.m. June 15 on the 800 block of Ellsworth Street.

Homicide investigators do not have any suspects in the slaying of the Minnesota man who moved May 2 to the 900 block of Ellsworth — a block from where he died — to become a teacher. Zabel was shot in the neck and his pockets were turned out, his iPod stolen, Homicide Capt. James Clark said.

A medic pronounced the 23-year-old dead at the scene at 1:45 a.m.

To be eligible for the reward, information must be called in to 215-546-TIPS and callers must receive a code from a live operator. Callers may remain anonymous.

District meetings planned

The 3rd and 4th police districts are hosting a joint community meeting 7 to 9 p.m. July 2 at Edward O’Malley Athletic Association, 138 Moore St.

Third District Capt. Joseph McDowell and 4th District Capt. Brian Wolfson will be in attendance.

Contact Staff Writer Lorraine Gennaro at lgennaro@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.

Bella bust

The Attorney General’s Office broke up what it called a highly organized, large-scale cocaine operation at a local tavern and locked up 11 people.

In Italian, the name means "beautiful rose," but what allegedly was going on inside Bella Rosa II Bar and Grill at 1712 S. 10th St. was not lovely by any means.

June 17, agents from Attorney General Tom Corbett’s office along with Philly police busted what they called a highly organized, large-scale cocaine ring, allegedly responsible for the distribution of more than 35 kilos of the drug in Philadelphia over seven years. Eleven people were taken into custody, including nine locals. Corbett called the operation "unsettling" because Bella Rosa is less than 200 feet from Neumann-Goretti High School.

Officials identified Will Caraballo, 39, from the 1900 block of Ritner Street, as the ringleader and charged him with 11 counts of delivery of cocaine, three counts of possession, two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.

The man who police said allegedly headed distribution was Joseph DeJesus, 48, from the 2400 block of South Third Street. He was charged with 11 counts of delivery, five firearms violations, two counts each of corrupt organizations and criminal use of a communication facility and a sole count of conspiracy.

Others charged in the investigation dubbed "Operation Ticket Broker" by the Attorney General’s Office were Dave Duncan, 38, from the 2400 block of Second Street, with three counts of possession with intent to deliver and one count each of conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility; Karen Fedrick, 34, from the 1300 block of Seventh Street, with three counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations and one of conspiracy; Gloria Richards, 47, from the 1100 block of Mifflin Street, with three counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations and one each of conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility; and Dana Coppertino, 35, from the 2400 block of Third Street, with two counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations and one each of delivery of cocaine, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors.

Joseph Capparella, 31, from the 900 block of Watkins Street; Wayne Henderson, 39, from the 100 block of Gladstone Street; Edward Kranicki, 46, from the 200 block of Dickinson Street; Steve Berti, 37, from the 3900 block of Gateway Towers; and Nestor Torres, 44, from the 500 block of Hegerman Street in North Philly, were charged with three counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts each of delivery and corrupt organizations and one each of conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.

In January 2007, agents began making undercover buys that led to recorded telephone conversations, surveillance and court-authorized wiretaps from June to September, according to an Attorney General’s press release.

Evidence and testimony regarding the organization were presented to a grand jury, which recommended criminal charges be filed.

According to the grand jury’s findings, DeJesus worked under Caraballo selling out of the bar along with Berti and Capparella while others worked under DeJesus repackaging large amounts for distribution. On at least six occasions, a kilo was broken down and repackaged, Corbett said. Henderson, Duncan, Kranicki and Torres allegedly repackaged large quantities of the drug for Caraballo, many times at Fedrick’s home. In addition, Henderson allegedly had his own customers, to whom he would sell cocaine he allegedly purchased from Caraballo.

Coppertino, along with her young child, lived with DeJesus and the former allegedly delivered cocaine to Bella Rosa under his direction — one time even bringing her child along, Corbett said in the release, adding she also allegedly allowed individuals into the house to repackage and pick up the narcotic. According to the grand jury’s findings, DeJesus used Richards’ residence for storage of substantial amounts of the white powder; she also allegedly transported the drug to and from Bella Rosa for him. On at least one occasion, DeJesus sold a firearm along with the cocaine, according to Corbett.

The defendants are scheduled for arraignment next month and will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Heather Castellino.

Contact Staff Writer Lorraine Gennaro at lgennaro@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.