Police: Young Suspect Arrested In Armed Robbery Spree
By Elizabeth Hur
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Police sources tell Eyewitness News, the young suspect wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies in Southwest Philadelphia is now under arrest.
Eyewitness News learned, tips from the public helped investigators identify the suspect Tuesday night. Then on Wednesday morning, detectives tracked down and arrested the suspect at a deli at the corner of Farragut and Chestnut Streets.
Sources say the suspect is a black male who turned 13-years-old just two months ago. We are told he has been arrested twice before for robbery-related offenses.
On Tuesday, police told Eyewitness News the gun-toting suspect had victimized five people in less than 24 hours.
But that was not the most shocking part of this crime spree. What had everyone talking is how young the suspect looked.
"About 12 years old? Quite young. Very young."
Eyewitness News spoke to one of the victims. For her protection, we are not identifying her.
"Suddenly a guy comes up to me from behind on a bicycle, a school kid in fact."
She says it happened to her in broad daylight, the suspect demanded money.
"I mean I was stunned. I said no and then he pulled out a gun and pointed it towards me."
We're told the suspect struck on 46th and 47th streets between Chestnut and Market Streets. Police say the first report came in at 9:45pm Monday, the latest at 3:12pm Tuesday.
Lt. John Walker explained, "Approaches the victims, asks what time it is at which time, he pulls out a gun and asks for money and in all five cases, believe it or not, the victims said they don't have any money and the male rolled off."
"I could have easily handled him but because of the gun he had in his hand I couldn't do anything."
The victim we talked to says the suspect was scared off by a passing car.
Police worried if the suspect was not caught soon, his nervousness could lead to something more disastrous.
"Our concern is the victims have all described the gun, he does pull out. So we're concerned that now he has five victims in a short period of time, he hasn't received any money and is he or is he not going to get any more aggressive?" Lt. Walker said.
Once again, the suspect is now in police custody. Police say the 13-year-old will be charged accordingly.
