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Four males knifed a man, leaving him seriously wounded, in an apparent robbery as the victim left a corner market Monday.
With multiple wounds to his lower buttocks and back, the 37-year-old was rushed via medic into surgery at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, a report said. Detectives were unable to interview him due to his condition after the 9:25 p.m. incident at 54th Street and Chester Avenue, so it’s unknown what if anything was taken, a report said.
To report information, call Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183.
Link in robberies
Police are looking for two men they believe pulled off a pair of muggings less than 10 minutes and blocks apart Sunday night.
The first heist happened at 8:55 p.m. at 55th Street and Woodland Avenue as a 32-year-old was walking east on the avenue. The offenders approached from behind with one pulling a black handgun and instructing the victim to surrender his money, a report said. When the target said he had nothing, the perpetrators went through his pockets just to make sure and then ran in a unknown direction empty-handed.
The pair was described as black, ages 20 to 25, about 165 to 180 pounds and about 5-foot-9. The gunman had a beard and mustache and wore a dark jacket with white sleeves and tiger emblem inside a red circle on the back; the other wore a gray-hooded sweatshirt and blue jacket.
At about 9:05 p.m., two men matching the above descriptions robbed and assaulted a 22-year-old at 59th Street and Greenway Avenue. The confrontation happened as the victim was walking east on Greenway.
One offender approached and asked for a light, then punched the man in the face while the accomplice joined in, a report said. The victim tried to fight off his attackers to no avail as they swiped his Rocawear jacket, valued at $150, and took $20 from his pockets and a pack of cigarettes.
After securing the items, one asked if the victim was a Muslim to which he replied yes and asked if he could have his jacket back, but the offender made a move toward his waistband implying he had a gun and indicating the request was denied, a report said.
The perpetrators took off on foot, going east on Greenway towards 53rd Street.
To report information on either heist, call Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183.
Boyfriend arrested
Serious harm and a trip to the hospital escaped a 46-year-old woman after her boyfriend allegedly pulled a pocket knife and sliced the left side of her neck during a verbal dispute.
Michael Renfroe, 54, from the 800 block of North Holly Street, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime in the 11:50 p.m. Friday attack in a residence on the 5500 block of Litchfield Street.
Live or die
A robber gave two women a choice: Hand over your purses or die. Opting for the former, the 25- and 28-year-olds surrendered their handbags with cellphones and a combined $400, a report said.
The victims were walking on the 7900 block of Lindbergh Boulevard at about 11:15 p.m. Friday when the man approached from behind, pulled a black handgun and issued the ultimatum. Once he got the goods, he took off on foot in an unknown direction.
To report information, call Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183.
Couple mugged unloading car
After two men robbed a woman and her husband unloading items from their vehicle, they jumped into a getaway car parked on the same block and took off.
The 34-year-old male and his 32-year-old wife were outside a residence on the 7200 block of Shearwater Street shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday when the pair approached, a report said. Armed with a black handgun, one male aimed it at the couple and demanded money. The husband gave $60 and the woman turned over her purse containing $900.
The thieving duo ran to a parked red or burgundy vehicle and drove off toward 72nd Street.
The perpetrators were described as black, ages 20 to 25, 150 pounds, 5-foot-8 to 6 foot and in dark clothing. The gunman had a thin build and dark brown complexion, while his accomplice had a medium build.
To report information, call Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183.
Happy Thanksgiving from the DA
District Attorney Lynne Abraham’s 2008 Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive kicked off Tuesday with an 11 a.m. press conference at her office, Penn Square, across from City Hall. Thirty-two neighborhood organizations citywide will provide dinner for 235 families, thanks to Abraham, Acme Markets, Capital Grille and The Rittenhouse Hotel.
The annual event is part of Abraham’s Urban Genesis Foundation, a nonprofit that works to make neighborhoods safer by removing criminal activity and promoting revitalization projects.
In addition to the fowl provided by the restaurant and hotel, Acme and Urban Genesis provided hundreds of boxes of trimmings such as canned vegetables, cake mix, icing, gravy, stuffing and pies.
Neighborhood organizations have been picking up the assembled dinners from the DA’s lobby and are delivering them through Thanksgiving.
Got a police item? Contact Staff Writer Lorraine Gennaro at lgennaro@southphillyreview.com or 215-336-2500 ext. 124.
