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Investigators identified Sophal Thach, 29, of the 700 block of Snyder Avenue, as the gunman in an attempted robbery in Southeast Philly last week.
Authorities executed arrest and search warrants at Thach’s home at 6:30 a.m. Friday. At 10 a.m., authorities located and arrested him on the 1600 block of South 28th Street, Detective Danielle Tolliver said.
Thach allegedly pulled out a small, silver revolver inside the store at the time of the incident, told everyone to get down and demanded money, Tolliver said. When a customer refused to cooperate, Thach is believed to have fired three shots, striking his target, a 48-year-old male, once in the left leg and again in the head at Koh Kong Grocery, 2233 S. Seventh St, at 5:50 p.m. Jan. 21 before fleeing with nothing.
The victim was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in critical but stable condition, Tolliver said.
He was charged with two counts of robbery, attempted theft, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person; one count of attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime; and various firearm violations, according to court records. His bail, which he had not posted by press time, was set at $750,000.
Thach pled guilty to a 2003 robbery and criminal conspiracy for which he was sentenced to four to eight years in prison and an ’09 receiving stolen property charge for which he spent six to 23 months in prison and a year on probation, according to court records.
Police are still seeking the man who stood as the lookout during the incident. He was described as Asian; having a stocky build and wearing a black hoodie. He fled northbound on Seventh after the shooting.
To report information, call South Detectives’ tip line at 215-685-1635, text PPDTIP (773847) or visit phillypolice.com/forms.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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