Surrender in sword-stabbing

A 17-year-old surrendered to police Oct. 5 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in the Sept. 10 homicide of 19-year-old Anthony DiMateo from the 1400 block of Porter Street.

Tajideen Whitaker, from the 1900 block of Mifflin Street, turned himself in to homicide detectives, Sgt. Bob Wilkins said. He was charged with murder and related offenses for allegedly stabbing DiMateo with a 16-inch sword inside the Porter Street apartment at about 2:30 p.m.

Wilkins said the investigation is ongoing, but would not confirm if police are searching for a second suspect since witnesses told police they spotted two men fleeing the dwelling.

Large quantities of marijuana and pills were found inside DiMateo’s dwelling, where he lived alone, Homicide Sgt. Tim Cooney told the Review after the slaying. Witnesses told detectives they saw two males run from the scene, going north on the 2400 block of South Carlisle Street toward Ritner Street — one bleeding from a head wound. "There’s also indications and witness accounts of seeing the males running with a black duffel-type bag. So we believe at this point it could be a narcotics robbery," Cooney said at the time.

Called to DiMateo’s apartment for a report of a person screaming, officers found him lying on the floor of a bedroom suffering from more than a half-dozen wounds to his chest and abdomen. A medic pronounced the victim dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m.

The sword was recovered in a trash can on the 2400 block of South Carlisle.

Shooting victim critical

A man was admitted into surgery in critical condition at Pennsylvania Hospital after being hit by five bullets last Thursday while he sat in a car talking to another man.

Witnesses told investigators at about 4:20 p.m. a man walked up to the passenger side of the vehicle parked on the 2800 block of Wharton Street, pumped five shots from a revolver, then ran in an unknown direction, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detective Division said.

The victim sustained gunshots to his chest and abdomen, but the driver with whom he was conversing escaped harm.

No description of the offender was provided.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

Casings found

Police responding to a report of a shooting at about 1:30 a.m. last Thursday on the 1500 block of Tasker Street found a man bleeding from his chest and eight 9mm cartridges nearby, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.

With additional wounds to his stomach and left leg, the 21-year-old went into surgery in critical condition at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Detectives have no motive or suspect.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

Postal carrier mugged

While on his delivery route at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 3, a 21-year-old U.S. Postal Service worker was mugged at knifepoint on the 2900 block of Fernon Street.

Armed with a six-inch blade, the offender approached the uniformed federal employee and ordered him to turn over any Social Security checks in his bag, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.

When the victim refused, the would-be robber ran in an unknown direction. The perpetrator was described as a black male in his 20s with facial hair, about 5-foot-11 and wearing a black shirt and same color jeans.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

Knifepoint robbery

While walking home on the 700 block of South 15th Street, three men mugged a teen at knifepoint.

The 18-year-old victim sustained minor scratches in the Oct. 3 ambush at about 2:15 a.m., but did not seek hospital care.

One of the offenders pulled a knife, pushed the victim against a wall, pressed the blade to his neck and demanded money, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.

While the armed assailant held the teen, his two accomplices removed a cell phone, wallet and keys from his pockets. The wallet contained an undisclosed amount of cash and the phone was valued at about $150.

The perpetrators, who fled on foot in an unknown direction, were black, in their 20s, over 6 foot and were all wearing dark clothing.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

Charged with domestic assault

Police arrested a man after he allegedly kicked in his girlfriend’s window and assaulted her Friday.

The victim sustained lacerations from flying glass in the 11 a.m. attack on the 2100 block of Beechwood Street and went to Methodist Hospital for treatment, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.

After the alleged assault on the 18-year-old, the suspect ran from the dwelling, but was picked up by police a few blocks away on the 2400 block of Moore Street.

Jonathan Goodwin, 20, from the 1700 block of Ringgold Street, was charged with aggravated and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief and burglary.

Purse-snatching

Two men mugged a 33-year-old of her handbag while she was walking on the 1900 block of Wharton Street at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

One aimed a gun at the woman’s face and demanded money while the other grabbed her pocketbook containing $700 and assorted jewelry, Detective Joe Chiaro of South Detectives said.

The offenders took off on foot in an unknown direction and were described as black, 20 to 30 years old, with facial hair; one was about 200 pounds and had on black jeans, a white T-shirt and a black hat, while the other was about 5-foot-9, 180 pounds and wearing blue jeans and a white Rocawear shirt.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

Fire safety goes mobile

The Philadelphia Fire Department has teamed up with SEPTA and the School District of Philadelphia to spread its fire safety message by placing prevention information cards on buses, trolleys and trains.

Tuesday, SEPTA officials and students from the Julia Ward Howe Elementary School in Fern Rock joined fire officials — including Commissioner Lloyd Ayers — in kicking off the annual SEPTA fire safety card campaign by placing this year’s message, "Practice your fire escape plan," on a bus at SEPTA headquarters, 12th and Market streets.

Blaze contained

A fire that started at about 12:30 p.m. Monday on the 1300 block of South Dover Street near Reed Street was quickly under control by responding units.