28043647
An alleged robber is believed to have used a health condition as an excuse to receive room to breathe as he tried to stab and rob a carpet installer.
At approximately 12:40 p.m. Nov. 11, a 46-year-old man installing carpets on the 1700 block of Bainbridge Street heard noises in his van when going to cut additional pieces, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. He found the driver’s side door open and 53-year-old William Edward West, of Center City, occupying the vehicle. The worker yelled, allegedly prompting West to try to leave with a power tool and two wrenches. The duo struggled once the fabric professional tackled the alleged thief.
Being held down for several seconds, West claimed he could not breathe and said, “I have asthma,” Tolliver said. Once the man eased off, West is believed to have used an 8-inch flathead screwdriver, to attempt to stab the man in the face or neck area. Warding him off, the 46-year-old yelled for help, which he received from a coworker. West was detained long enough for police to arrive and arrest him.
He was charged with possession of an instrument of crime, simple and aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, robbery and three counts of attempted theft.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
Also in this week’s Police Report:
Cutting words
Fire claims Point Breeze resident
Loitering thief
Teen sets fire in Bella Vista
Meetings aplenty
Picture imperfect
Brick chucker
28043647
