A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection of a series of gunpoint robberies over the last week. Police believe the boy was part of a group of young men that robbed at least four people since last Thursday.

The teenager, who was not named, was arrested following two attempted robberies within five minutes early Saturday morning near 45th and Chestnut and 43rd and Market. Police say he and at least two others were also responsible for a robbery at 43rd and Haverford at about 10:40 p.m. on Friday and another at 46th and Market at about 11:20 p.m. on Thursday.

Police say that the first robbery Saturday took place at about 12:55 a.m., when a group of young males began following two women in their mid 20s at 45th and Market. The women stopped at 45th and Chestnut to see if the group would walk past and that is when the young men attempted to rob them. One woman ran across the street and another fled and jumped into a cab.

About five minutes later, police say the same group committed a robbery near 43rd and Market.

Police have been investigating a robbery spree over the last week involving groups of young men, often wearing gray hoodies.

The 15-year-old is, so far, the only person who has been charged for the robberies. Police would not say if the same teen was part of a group of three young men who robbed a man on May 18 near 44th and Sansom at about 6:15 p.m.

A man was also robbed early Saturday near 46th and Springfield. A group of five young men stole his cell phone, wallet and sneakers. Last Tuesday a woman was robbed at gunpoint two young males near 49th and Larchwood. The 15-year-old mentioned above was not charged with those robberies.

 

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