Weekly Police Reports

As reported by Detective Danielle Toliver of South Detectives Division

Robbery in progress at Dollar General
On Monday, Aug. 14 at approximately 6:30 a.m., police officers responded to the Dollar General, located 2120 S. 23rd St., for a reported robbery in progress. Upon their arrival, they were met by the complainant, a store employee. The complainant reported that as he was opening store, a 5’5 black male with dreadlocks, and who was wearing a dark gray hooded sweatshirt, a black facemask and black sneakers with a white Nike swoosh symbol, came around the corner of the building and forced him into the building at gunpoint.
The offender said to the complainant, “You know what this is, It’s a f — -ing robbery,” and then the offender demanded the complainant disarm the alarm. The offender then pushed the complainant toward the store’s safe. The complainant stated the offender fled the scene after stealing money from the safe.

Elderly woman dragged into basement
On Monday, Aug. 14 at approximately 2 p.m., police officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress on the 700 block of S. Front Street. The complainant, an 84-year-old white female, reported that as she went down to the second floor of her home to let her dog out, she observed a white male offender who appeared to be in his early to mid-20s inside of her home. The complainant stated the offender, who had a thin build and was 5’9 to 5’11, clean shaven and wearing a white Fedora-style hat, demanded money and when she stated that she had no money, the offender dragged her into the basement. The complainant was then restrained with a belt and a dog leash and the offender left the basement. The complainant was able to untie herself and ran out of the house. A nearby construction worker called police for her.

Firework thrown into restaurant
On Saturday, Aug. 12 at approximately 5:37 p.m., a 15- to 18-year-old black male offender stood in front of the New Dragon City Restaurant, located 523 Washington Ave., and threw what appeared to be a large firework into the store before feeling. The offender, who is reported to have had black hair, a dark complexion and who was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, was last seen heading eastbound on Washington Avenue. The firework exploded inside of the business, causing the business to sustain minimal damage. The occupants inside of the business at the time of the explosion were not injured.

Approached, questioned and robbed
On Friday, Aug. 11 at approximately 5:30 p.m., a 20-year-old Hispanic male complainant reported he was walking eastbound on the 500 block of Emily Street when a male and female approached him. The male offender, a roughly 40-year-old heavy-set male wearing all black clothing, asked him if he had found some money the offender claimed he had lost.
The complainant stated that the female offender, an approximately 35-year-old heavy-set woman wearing a pink top and black pants, then engaged him in a conversation for a few minutes until the male offender suddenly grabbed his necklace from his neck, took his wallet from his back pant pocket, and his bracelet from his wrist before running away. The complainant last saw the male offender running eastbound on Emily Street, but did not see what direction the female offender fled in.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215–685–1635, text PPDTIP (773847) or visit phillypolice.com/forms.

Wawa employees robbed at gunpoint
On Sunday, July 30 at 12:05 p.m., an unknown black male, who was approximately 5’11” and 20 years old, entered a Wawa located at 1602 South Christopher Columbus Blvd. While two employees were inside the office, the suspect, who was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with black lettering reading “BATTLE” on the front, entered the office and pointed a handgun at a 32 year-old female employee and demanded money. After complying with the suspects demands, a second employee handed the suspect an unknown amount of money, and the suspect ordered both employees to lie on the floor while he fled west on Morris Street to a getaway vehicle. The suspect was last seen traveling south on Interstate 95.
With any information about this crime or this suspect, please contact: South Detective Division: 215–686–3013.