Police are currently searching for three men who broke into a home on the 200 block of South 50th Street this morning. ABC6 is reporting that the masked men who were armed with guns broke into the home around 4:30 a.m., tied up its residents – a man and three women all in their 20’s –  and stole cash, computers and car keys before making their getaway in a stolen Nissan Altima with Nevada plates.

Police say the men broke in through a basement window. West Philly Local readers reported helicopters circling around the area this morning.

“They forcefully grabbed their hands, tied them up, one handcuffed, tied with a belt, duct tape,” Philadelphia Police Captain George Fuchs told ABC6. “Obviously the victims are very traumatized.”

UPDATE (2:30 p.m.): A police source familiar with the investigation said it was “not a random act.” The investigation continues.

Philadelphia Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the man who robbed the Wine and Spirits store near 49th and Baltimore last week. The robbery happened on Thursday, Sept. 19, around 8:30 p.m. when the suspect, an unknown male, entered the store at 4908 Baltimore Avenue, pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money. After the employee opened the cash register, the suspect went behind the counter and took an unspecified amount of money from the drawer, according to Philly Police Blog. Later he fled on foot in an unknown direction.

If you have any information about the suspect please submit a tip via telephone (dial 215.686.TIPS (8477)) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.

Here’s the suspect’s description: Black male, 24-25 years old, 5’5″-5’6″, thin build, full beard, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black Capri pants and white sneakers with red stripes.

And here’s surveillance video released by police:

Jeanne Chang, owner of Lil’ Pop Shop located near 44th and Spruce, reports that there was a burglary at the shop last night. There was no sign of breaking and entering, just cash stolen from yesterday’s sales and some extra change, Jeanne, who is currently out of town, writes in an email.

Jeanne filed a police report and would appreciate tips from anyone who may have spotted something unusual between 10 p.m. last night and 10 a.m. this morning. Please call the police at 215-476-1131 with any information.

Some West Philly Local readers witnessed an arrest Monday night, around 9 p.m., near 45th and Osage, when two young males (looked to be between 15 and 18 years old) were handcuffed and taken away in a police van.

We learned that the arrest was made by Penn Police and the suspects, both early teens, were arrested for theft. Police say they stole a bike from 44th and Osage by cutting the lock with bolt cutters, according to Joe Murray of the Southwest Detectives. One of the alleged thieves is only 13 years old.

Three people were shot outside of The Watusi bar at 46th and Walnut early Saturday morning.

NBCPhiladelphia is reporting that two women and a man were shot during an argument that began inside the bar at about 1 a.m. Two women, ages 21 and 24, were grazed by bullets. A 24-year-old man is in critical condition after being shot in the abdomen. A neighbor who lives near the lounge, which has seen gun violence in the past, said that a total of six shots were fired.

“This is the second time this has happened in the past six months,” the neighbor, who asked not to be named, said. “I can’t believe that somewhere where people are bringing concealed loaded weapons is allowed to stay open and face no scrutiny.”

Shots were fired at about the same time on April 26. No one was injured in that incident.

Neighbors have complained about noise and violence at Watusi Lounge and Watusi II at 45th and Locust in the past. The Watusi II was the subject of a community meeting last week to address the dozens of community complaints. The University City Review reported that piles of evidence were presented about everything from drug use at the bar to it serving patrons well after the 2 a.m. closing time.

Despite the complaints and tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes, owner Noel Karasanyi has been able to keep both establishments open.

A neighbor, Zack, who lives in the Belgium Apartments near 44th and Chestnut Streets, reported a break-in incident at his home Wednesday night and wanted to alert other neighbors to always lock their windows. The intruder, a male in his late 30’s to mid 40’s, broke into Zack’s first floor apartment through an open bedroom window. The incident happened around 11:35 p.m. and he called the police who responded within two minutes.

Zack says that he was watching a movie in the living room when the intruder broke into his apartment. When he noticed the man he locked the front door and told him to empty his pockets and asked him why he was in his house. While Zack was talking to a 911 operator, the man got away through the window he came in through. Zack says that he was also grabbing his machete when the intruder, who was armed with a razor blade, got away.

Luckily nothing was stolen; the intruder just made a mess, Zack said.

“My bedroom window is in an alleyway, and it was open, but he tore the screen off to get in. I’m always so adamant about my windows being locked and it was very weird and eye-opening for this to happen while I was relaxing at home.”

The intruder is described as an African American male, about 5’7″ or 5’8″, about 140/150 pounds, with a partial black eye around the outside of his left eye.