Two Salt and Pepper Deli workers, a 44-year-old man and a 41-year-old man, were attacked Sunday night at about 1 a.m. near their home on the 1100 block of S. 47th Street, according to police. The men had just finished working and were walking home to their apartment building when three males wearing all dark clothing stopped them as they entered the building. One of the attackers was armed with a machete while another male was armed with a handgun.

The attackers forced the victims into the apartment where one of the victims lives. The third robber handcuffed both victims when they got inside the apartment. The attackers took $800 from the 44-year-old man (his pay from work) and his Apple Macbook Laptop. After the robbers finished searching the apartment, they uncuffed both of the victims and fled. There were no injuries reported. All three suspects were wearing black masks and gloves.

CBS reports that one of the victims is Narom Uon, a cook at the Salt and Pepper Deli and his two daughters, a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old were witnesses to the home invasion. Reportedly, they were told to sit in the living room while the robbers were searching their apartment. Uon was interviewed on the local CBS station.

A gun battle terrified nearby residents and damaged several cars early this morning near the corner of 49th Street and Warrington Avenue. No injuries were reported. Police report that at least 22 shots were fired at about 4 a.m., blowing the windows out of several cars. An investigation into the shootings continues, police said.

Many residents said they were awoken by what sounded like firecrackers – a series of shots in rapid succession. Residents said that it appeared that the shooters may have been hiding behind cars and exchanging fire.

Police found shell casings from .40 and .45 caliber weapons, indicating that at least two guns were involved.

Philly.com has photos here.

A judge on Monday sentenced the 19-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to robbery charges stemming from a gunpoint mugging and rape last year near 48th and Springfield to 6-12 years in prison.

Tyshanek Presley was also sentenced to 10 years probation. During the sentencing an assistant district attorney read a letter from residents who live near where the crime took place that detailed the impact on the victims and the community (see the letter below). About a half-dozen residents were in the courtroom for the sentencing, along with about 20 members of Presley’s family.

Community members showing up in courtrooms is still rare in Philadelphia, where fear of retribution has made many city residents reluctant to get involved in criminal proceedings. Town watch groups may help change that.

Earlier this month members of the West Frankford Town Watch were in court during the sentencing of a man convicted of straw purchasing guns, one of which was recovered at the scene of a shooting. The judge in that case issued a strong sentence despite the defendant not having any previous criminal record. Continue Reading

Police are still searching for a man who is wanted in a string of armed robberies around West Philly last week. He allegedly robbed a laundromat and nail salons along Chestnut Street, according to Det. Joe Murray of the Southwest Detectives.

The man is described as a black male about 20-30 years old and about 5-feet, 7-inches tall with short hair and a short beard. He has exhibited violent behavior during the robberies, Murray said.

Police are looking for him in connection with the following crimes:

• During mid-afternoon on July 30, a worker at the Emerald Laundromat said a man had been sitting on a chair in the establishment for about 30 minutes before the man pulled out a small black handgun and stuck in the worker’s neck and demanded money. He fled with $350 from the register.

• On August 2 at about 11 a.m., a man entered the Myly Nail Salon at 6214 Landsdowne Ave. with a black handgun and demanded money. The man took an envelope from the counter with $100 along with a cell phone. Police say the man held the gun to the salon owner’s head and said: “Shut up, do you want to die?” He then fled the store. Continue Reading

A 13-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday for his involvement in attempted armed robberies in the area of Chestnut Street between 46th and 47th. Police said the boy tried to rob five people, one person on Monday and four on Tuesday.

Here’s a recap:

Monday, July 30, 9:55 p.m., 46th and Chestnut

A 23-year-old woman was approached by the suspect riding a bicycle. He stopped next to her and told her to give him everything she got. The woman refused and started to walk off. Then the male pointed a handgun at her and again demanded her belongings. The woman, who was carrying a Mac Book Pro and an iPhone4, began yelling for help and then ran east on Chestnut St. While running she fell and suffered multiple cuts to her legs. She was able to run home where she called 911. Nothing was taken.

Tuesday, July 31, 10:26 a.m., Farragut and Market

A 24-year-old man was walking north on Farragut St. toward the El when the suspect approached him and asked him what time it was. The man looked at his phone and told the suspect it was 10:26 a.m. and continued walking. The suspect followed him and was now holding a gun. He told the victim to give him all his money. The victim said he didn’t have any. The suspect walked away. Nothing was taken and no injuries were reported. Continue Reading

Two West Philadelphia residents were mugged last night, around 11:15 p.m. on Kingsessing between 46th and 47th Streets, according to police. Two men, one with a gun, told the victims to sit down on the ground and empty their pockets. One of the victims was hit in the face with the gun and later taken to the hospital with minor facial injuries. While the robbery was in progress, undercover police officers turned up and arrested one of the robbers on the spot, then later, after a chase, they caught the other suspect near 46th and Linmore.

The victims’ belongings were recovered, with the exception of a wallet. We are trying to get more information from the police whether this incident is related to other robberies in the area, including a very recent one when a man was robbed and pistol-whipped at 46th and Cedar Avenue.