Arrests in robbery ring

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Five males were arrested and charged with 10 robberies targeting mostly Asian victims in Southwest Philly and Delaware County Nov. 20 through 29, Southwest Detective Division Capt. Benjamin Naish said.

Three of the alleged offenders, Rickey Phillips, 18, from the 2600 block of South 80th Street; Nuri Murray, 19, from the 5600 block of Windsor Avenue; and Khalil Johnson, 17, from the 8000 block of Pompey Place, are from here.

Claymont, Del. residents Shawn Davis, 20, and Charon Humphrey, 18, are also charged with multiple counts of robbery and related offenses.

All five apprehensions came about through investigations by Southwest Detectives, Pennsylvania State Police, FBI and Delaware County Police.

The first local incident happened Nov. 21 at 11:15 p.m. on the 7900 block of Lindbergh Boulevard where police said Johnson robbed three Asian females entering an apartment. Taken in that heist were pocketbooks, cell phones and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Nov. 26 and 28, a 25-year-old Asian male was the victim of two attacks allegedly perpetrated by Humphrey and Davis, the first a mugging, the second a burglary, police said. Entering his residence shortly before 7 p.m. on the 6700 block of Egrat Street, the victim was allegedly accosted by a male with a gun who swiped his wallet containing $900 and his iPod. Two days later at 4:30 p.m., the same male arrived home to find his door kicked in and a 56-inch TV stolen.

Humphrey and Davis also allegedly committed a Nov. 29 mugging at 1:40 p.m. on the 2100 block of South 64th Street where a 52-year-old Asian woman was robbed of her purse, cell phone and $2,000 cash, police said.

Shotgun showdown

Police took a woman into custody after she allegedly retrieved a 20-gauge shotgun and fired a single round at her boyfriend but missed.

A verbal dispute inside the home the two share on the 6900 block of Buist Avenue triggered last Friday’s violence shortly after 10:30 p.m., according to a report.

Ruby Thorne, 49, was arrested at the scene and the weapon was recovered. Thorne was charged with aggravated and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.

Teen wanted for murder

The Homicide Fugitive Squad has issued a warrant for a 19-year-old they say shot and killed another 19-year-old Dec. 1 outside his house on the 2000 block of Greenway Place.

Richard Carter was outside his dwelling when police say Darren Wilder rode past in a moving car and opened fire, striking Carter one time in the left chest area, Homicide Fugitive Squad Detective Leon Luby told the Review. The victim staggered into the home where he collapsed inside a rear doorway. Medic 9 took him to HUP in critical condition and he died at 7:45 a.m. Dec. 2. Homicide investigators cited an argument as the motive for the shooting at about 11:11 p.m. but did not know the nature of the feud, Luby said.

Six .40-caliber casings were found at the scene.

Wilder’s last known addresses were the 7000 block of Saybrook Avenue and the 6000 block of Lindbergh Boulevard. He was described as a black male, approximately 5-foot-11, 135 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

To report information, call the Homicide Fugitive Squad at 215-686-3068/3084.

Behind the eight ball

A resident from the 5500 block of Windsor Avenue was arrested after he allegedly used an unusual weapon to hold up a pizza parlor in South Philly.

At about 6:30 p.m. Monday, the suspect walked into Key Food Pizza, 1846 S. 12th St., and began waving a cue ball around while demanding money, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said. He alledgedly continued wielding the billiard item and making the demand while an employee called police. Knowing the call was made,, the man exited the premises, police said.

Cops nabbed 21-year-old Eddie Woodley outside the eatery and recovered the ball and a small amount of marijuana, Morley said. Woodley, who also has a South Philly address on the 1800 block of McKean Street, was charged with possession for the pot, attempted robbery and possession of an instrument of crime for the cue ball.

Breaking out the big guns

In an unprecedented move in the Philadelphia Police Department, Commissioner Charles Ramsey is allowing his officers to up the ammunition ante.

At a press conference Friday, Ramsey announced he would allow officers to carry larger-caliber handguns if they so chose. Currently, cops carry department-issued 9mm Glocks, but those who want more firepower may carry .40- or .45-calibers. The officers would be required to train with and be certified to use the new guns, Chief Inspector Joseph Sullivan said. Cops also would have to pay for the bigger guns out of pocket, albeit they can use their police discounts.

The move was announced because at least two officers of the four killed this year were shot by suspects carrying .45-caliber or higher weapons, Ramsey said.