The intended victim of an aborted gunpoint robbery at about 10 p.m. Monday night near 50th and Chestnut decided to chase the suspect, who turned and fired a shot before continuing to flee on foot.

The victim, a 31-year-old male, told police he was walking along the 5000 block of Chestnut when another male put a gun to his back and said, “Give me your money.” When the victim turned, the suspect began walking away, likely because another pedestrian turned onto the block. As the suspect continued walking, the victim shouted that the man was armed and requested that the pedestrian call police. That’s when the suspect, who had a scarf over his face, fired a shot from a small handgun.

The victim continued chasing the suspect and lost sight of him hear 50th and Ludlow, according to a police report.

No injuries were reported.

A reader says she was sitting in her car near 48th and Windsor last night talking on her phone when a group of young males, between the ages of 14-17, came up and tried to open the doors. The incident happened at around 7:45 p.m. Here’s what she writes:

“Tonight, I had a group of 5-6 young males try to break into my car while I WAS IN IT at 48th and Windsor. I was on my iPhone in my car as it was parked for about 20 minutes. They came out of nowhere and three tried to open my doors. I hit my horn and someone else came running and then they ran down to the 48th and Warrington block.”

The woman says she filed a report with the police.

Police couldn’t confirm if it’s the same group of teens suspected in other recent crimes in the area, as the investigation still continues.

As was reported last week, a 53-year-old man was beaten and robbed near Clark Park by a large group of teenagers on January 11. Earlier this month, a woman was robbed by three teens while walking on the 4900 block of Osage Avenue.  Continue Reading

Authorities are expected to increase the amount of the reward offered for information that leads to the arrest of the person who brutally murdered a 34-year-old West Philly resident and a Philadelphia Parking Authority employee, Mark Marshall. Police released the suspect’s sketch (pictured right), a photo of the vehicle he fled the scene in, and offered a $20,000 reward for information about him last week.

Marshall was walking his two Chihuahuas on the 4600 block of Kingsessing Avenue on the evening of December 16, 2015, when an unknown man, described as a black male, 20-30 years old, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and orange hat, jumped out of an older model Dodge/Chrysler minivan, possibly silver in color, approached Marshall and shot him multiple times. He then got into the passenger seat of the minivan, which fled the scene. Police said that the two men were seen arguing before the shooting.  Continue Reading

Neighbors have reported gunshots on the 5100 block of Webster St. at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday. Police responded to the report of gunshots and found nine shell casings and one projectile in the street in the middle of the block. No shooting victims were located at the scene or at area hospitals. Neighbors stated that they had heard gunshots but did not see anything. Police also checked the block for cameras, but none were found.

An emergency community meeting concerning last week’s shooting of the police officer near 60th and Spruce Streets by a man who allegedly supports ISIS will be held on Thursday, Jan. 14, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bryant School, 6001 Cedar Ave.

The meeting, hosted by state Sen. Anthony H. Williams in partnership with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and State Rep. Joanna McClinton, will focus on neighborhood safety and mental health issues. Updates concerning neighborhood security will also be provided by law enforcement.

Muslim and Christian faith leaders will also participate in the meeting.

A 53-year-old man was attacked, beaten and robbed by a large group of teenagers on Monday evening near 45th and Chester, according to police.

The man was walking in the area around 6 p.m. when he observed a group of teens (10 to 12 boys) yelling and acting irate. The man tried to avoid the group and started walking in the street along the bike lane. The teens then pulled the man back on the pavement and started punching him until he fell to the ground, according to a police report. The teens continued punching and kicking the man while he was on the ground until a witness, who was driving by, noticed the beating and began honking her car horn until the teens walked away.

After the teens left the area, the man noticed that his house keys, cell phone and iPod had been taken.

The witness drove the man to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he was treated for pains to his head and legs, according to police.  Continue Reading