A bank robbing spree has possibly been brought to a halt when police discovered the man they believe to be responsible sleeping in a van parked at Packer Avenue and Smedley Street Oct. 26.
Frederick "Freddie" Baynes, 40, is allegedly behind 11 demand-note robberies at nine Philadelphia institutions, two of which were hit multiple times. Many of the banks were in the Northeast.
According to an FBI press release, the homeless man whose last known address was the 1800 block of Berks Street in North Philly was arrested by 1st District officers responding to a call about a vehicle break-in. After being transported to 1st District headquarters and positively identified, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force took Baynes into custody to face federal bank robbery charges.
Bystander shot in head
A 52-year-old was taken to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in critical condition Friday after being struck in the head by a stray bullet.
According to Sgt. Gwen Bartlett of the South Detective Division, the man was in the area of the 2100 to 2300 blocks of Mifflin Street at 10:15 p.m. when a shootout between several males erupted. One of the latter — a 19-year-old — was shot in the left leg and taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in stable condition, Bartlett added.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
A trio of purse-snatchings
Three separate muggings — all attempts at nabbing a handbag — resulted in an arrest in one over the weekend.
In the first attack at 4:50 p.m. Saturday, a 39-year-old woman was punched in the mouth and left with a bloody nose by two men while she walked on the 100 block of Durfor Street, Sgt. Gwen Bartlett of the South Detective Division said.
Once on the ground, the men — described as being in their early 20s — took her brown purse and fled on foot, going south on Second Street. The purse contained $180, identification and a Tiffany bracelet of an unknown value.
Even though two men knocked a 22-year-old to the ground on the 1900 block of Chadwick Street Saturday — exactly seven hours after the first heist — and robbed the woman of her brown purse that contained $150 and sunglasses, the events appear unrelated, Bartlett said. James Howard, 20, of the 1800 block of South 16th Street, was nabbed and charged with that robbery, though the second man remains at large.
In a third incident, a woman faced a gunpoint robbery during the early morning hours Sunday.
The 20-year-old was walking on the 800 block of South Second Street at 4:50 a.m. when a man approached her from behind, Bartlett said. With a silver pistol pointed at his victim, the perpetrator made off on foot with a red purse containing a cell phone, digital camera, identification and credit cards. No value was given for the stolen items.
This perpetrator was described as black, age 20 to 30, 5-foot-7, 160 pounds and wearing a black hoodie and eyeglasses.
To report information on any of the incidents, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Robbed at the pump
Officers nabbed an 18-year-old who fled a gas station at 14th and Bainbridge streets after he attempted to grab cash from a man paying for his fuel, police said.
As the man went to give his $70 to the cashier, Ramir Jones of the 700 block of South Hicks Street tried to pluck the dough from the victim’s hand 5 p.m. Saturday while outside the Hess station, Sgt. Gwen Bartlett of the South Detective Division said. A struggle ensued and the suspect fled toward 13th and South streets, where police found him, Bartlett said.
Jones was charged with robbery and related charges.
Lights out
A 21-year-old was arrested after allegedly punching a security guard at Lowe’s Home Improvement, 2106 S. Columbus Blvd., when he attempted to make off with $160 in electrical equipment, police said.
After being approached by security at about 5 p.m. Monday, Michael Gindraw hit the guard in the right cheek, causing minor swelling, Sgt. Gwen Bartlett of the South Detective Division said. The resident of the 2100 block of Uber Street was arrested and charged with robbery and assault.
