Update – Click here for the full surveillance video of the suspects.

Police are searching for two young males they believe are responsible for at least four muggings in less than an hour early Tuesday morning. The robberies are the latest in a number of muggings at gunpoint in the last week.

The details on each robbery on Tuesday morning, which were committed with a handgun:

• 12:45 a.m. – 4800 block of Warrington. Two cell phones were taken.

• 1:05 a.m. – 4700 block Cedar. A driver’s license and cell phone were taken.

• 1:20 a.m. – 6000 block of Market. A cell phone, credit cards and a vehicle were taken. The vehicle was later recovered.

• 1:30 a.m. – 200 block of S. 48th. Car keys were taken and the victim’s vehicle, which was parked on the 4800 block of Locust, was later reported missing.

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.

 

View Mid-May robbery spree in a larger map

A person was robbed of a cell phone and $180 in an apartment building lobby near 48th and Springfield Ave. last night.

Police say three black males approached the victim in the lobby of 1000 S. 48th St. One of the men, in his mid 20s and wearing a black and white Addidas sweatsuit, brandished a handgun. The man also had a beard and mustache and a small teardrop tattoo on his face. There were no descriptions available of the other two suspects.

No arrests have been made.

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Lt. Brian McBride of the Philadelphia Police Department’s University City sub-division will be at the Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore) to talk to residents about crime issues in their neighborhood.

McBride’s meeting with residents last month proved fruitful when a resident’s tip led to the arrest of a man who had been stealing packages off of porches.

Meetings with McBride are held on the third Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the large classroom on the lower level.

A neighborhood resident couldn’t believe that the two masked teenagers who were pointing a gun at her last night and demanding her car keys on the 4900 block of Larchwood were serious. Police say the unnamed woman tried to grab the gun thinking it was fake. It wasn’t.

The two young males, who the woman estimated to be between 15 and 18 years old, approached her at about 8:30 p.m. as she got out of her car. When she realized the gun they brandished was real, police added, she stopped resisting. The two teens forced their way into the passenger side of the car and grabbed her handbag, which contained credit cards and cash.

Southwest Detective Joseph Murray, who has gained Twitter fame as the TheFuzz9143, wrote early this morning that attempting to take a robber’s gun is not a good idea.

“Don’t try that,” he wrote. “These kids already don’t know how to handle a gun and it can go off too easily.”

No arrests have been made.

 

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A woman was mugged early Sunday morning near 47th and Chester. She has reported her story on Craigslist and subsequently on some of the neighborhood listservs. We wanted to pass it along here in case anyone found any of her stuff. She asked that her name not be used. She writes:

I was mugged near the corner of 47th and Chester Saturday night/ Sunday morning. Stolen was my beloved vintage coach bag (black) with wallet, phone and personal items. If even just my bag or any of the contents can be recovered I would be so grateful!! A black moleskin planner ( my email is inside front cover), vintage 90’s liz claiborne sunglasses with suede case (they were my mom’s), a faux alligator wallet with ID, etc. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!! A small monetary reward will be yours!

The woman said she later called police and filed a report and added in an e-mail:

I just want to put it out there that the mugger knocked me down from behind, I didn’t see him coming. He ran very fast and with full body force semi-tackled me to the ground taking my bag in one fell swoop. Unfortunately I often come home late with no escort….. I’m in the restaurant business. I try to be as safe as possible but there’s always that one time…. I have been in West Philly for 5 years and love the neighborhood, it’s sad to feel uncomfortable here now. I’m sure I will move on from this soon but my experience has been very violating and emotionally difficult.

Her story prompted a response from resident Stephanie Zeck, who reminded folks that escorts are available:

The number for the university city walking escort is 215.898.9255 – they will meet a person at their location ( with approximately 15-20 minutes notice ) and walk them safely to their destination. after 3am and until 7am, Penn security takes over. I have had GREAT experiences with the escorts … they are kind and helpful, and will absolutely be there when you need them.

If you have any information on the stolen belongings, you can drop the woman a note at the craigslist e-mail address:

comm-zjezh-2375083597 — at — craigslist.org