A man who carjacked a woman at knifepoint then attempted to rape her was a registered Megan’s Law sex offender in New Jersey, police said. The man had recently moved to Southwest Philly, but did not register in this state, according to police.
"We have enough information to confirm he is a Megan’s Law violator here," SVU Capt. John Darby said.
The carjacking and attempted rape happened Nov. 17 at about 2 p.m. on the 1400 block of Morris Street. The 35-year-old victim was placing a cell-phone call when the suspect forced his way into the vehicle at knifepoint, then drove her to Jackson and Norwood streets where he attempted to rape her, Inspector Bill Colarulo of the Police Public Affairs Unit said.
Witnesses who found the woman flagged down a First District officer, the inspector said.
A short time later, officers discovered the suspect hiding under a car on the 2200 block of Cantrell Street.
Harold James, 44, formerly of Blackwood, N.J., was charged with attempted rape, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, auto theft and several other offenses.
To report information, call the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3264.
Police find shooting victim
A 21-year-old shooting victim was taken to Methodist Hospital in serious but stable condition Saturday.
Police found the victim shortly after midnight on the 1700 block of South 19th Street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and wrist, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detective Division said.
Investigators have no motive or suspects.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Dispute leads to violence
A verbal altercation between two neighbors triggered a shooting on the 1000 block of South 18th Street, police said.
The 18-year-old victim was arguing with another man over money at about 2:15 p.m. Friday, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said. When the teen took off his jacket to physically fight, the man pulled out a pistol and shot him once in the upper left leg, the detective said.
The teen was taken to Graduate Hospital in stable condition.
Investigators recovered no ballistics evidence at the scene.
The incident is still under investigation, police said.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Driver hit by gunfire
A man standing on a corner at 31st and Tasker streets opened fire on a vehicle, wounding the driver in the right leg, last Thursday.
When the driver, 22, approached the 1500 block of South 31st Street at about 1:13 a.m., the gunman unloaded several shots at him, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.
Investigators have no motive or suspects.
The victim was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in stable condition.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Robbery turns into shooting
A man in the market for a new cell phone became a shooting victim in Southwest Philly.
The 22-year-old from 13th and Catharine streets went to buy a cell phone at 60th Street and Buist Avenue at about 2:20 p.m. Nov. 15 when a man and woman tried to rob him, Lt. Frank Vanore of Southwest Detectives said.
One of the pair shot the victim twice in the upper left arm, Vanore said.
The victim ran to a gas station at 59th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard, where he called police.
He was taken to HUP in serious condition.
Detectives are not sure if the victim sought to purchase the phone from a store or a private seller, Vanore said.
To report information, call Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183.
Robbed and pistol-whipped
Three men pulled guns on two friends walking on the 2600 block of Iseminger Street and robbed them, police said.
The 21- and 17-year-old victims were walking shortly after 10 p.m. Monday when the trio came up behind them, Inspector Bill Colarulo of the Police Public Affairs Unit said.
The bandits stuck pistols in the victims’ backs and told them to give up their money and cell phones or they would shoot, police said.
After the two obliged, the trio pistol-whipped them, the inspector said.
One of the victims was taken to Methodist Hospital, where he was treated for a cut on the ear.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013. SPR
Two perish in Sunday morning blaze
A one-alarm fire claimed the life of a retired firefighter’s wife and her 96-year-old mother Sunday morning.
The only smoke detector in the single-family home at 1126 Wolf St. was in the basement and lacked a battery, said Philadelphia Fire Department Battalion Chief William Williams.
When police arrived at 8:40 a.m., a neighbor was trying to douse flames with a garden hose, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.
Forty firefighters using 11 pieces of equipment contained the blaze by 9 a.m., Williams said.
Firefighters encountered heavy smoke on the first and second floor of the home. The cause of the fire was careless smoking, Chief William Dell said.
Police identified the deceased as Carol Mangeri, 66, wife of retired firefighter Salvatore Mangeri, and her mother, Josephine Osmin.
Salvatore and the couple’s son had left the house about 20 minutes before flames erupted, Chiaro said.
Fire department hosts widows
The Philadelphia Firefighter’s Union Local 22 hosted a Thanksgiving luncheon Nov. 17 for widows of deceased firemen. The event started at noon and took place at the union hall, 415 N. Fifth St.
The annual luncheon honors widows and their husbands, many of whom died in the line of duty. Many of the women are living on survivors’ pensions that provide as little as $250 per month, union Treasurer Tim McShea said.
For widows unable to travel, firefighters filled and delivered food baskets.
Those interested in helping financially or donating anything for next year may call 215-440-4400.
