A 24-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint last night near 47th and Larchwood, according to police. At approximately 11 p.m., the man was standing in front of his apartment, pulling his keys out of the door, when he heard someone behind him say “Yo”. The victim thought it was his friend, but when he turned around he saw an unknown male pointing a gun at him. The victim handed the robber his backpack, $40.00 dollars and his iPhone. The phone was secured with a password which the robber asked for as well.

We are also trying to confirm with police an abandoned firearm report that we received from a reader. Apparently, someone reported a man with a gun on the 4300 block of Spruce last night and around 1 a.m. a few police cars showed up. They caught the suspect, but couldn’t find the gun that the suspect apparently disposed of somewhere on that block. The reader says that the policemen left after 20 minutes of searching the area.

Police say that there have been no robberies similar to this one in the area. A stranger approached a couple who were sitting on their porch near 50th and Osage last night, about 4:10 p.m., threatened them with a gun and robbed them. Here’s what one of the victims wrote. She calls the robber “a scam artist.”

On Friday evening at 4:10 p.m. a man came onto our porch at 50th st and Osage. He claimed something was happening in the neighborhood and we needed to know about it, he seemed friendly… later he “admitted” he was sent to hurt my boyfriend and he wanted to be paid off. He threatened both of us with a gun. He then led my boyfriend to an ATM and demanded $100. He got it. He was about 5’8″, dark skin, jaundice yellow eyes, buzz cut, round features. He was between 35-40yrs old with a gut. He wore a yellow polo. He was very calm, collected, manipulative, and convincing. He sat on our porch and smoked our cigarettes while threatening us. I want everyone to be warned…

The couple alerted their neighbors about this incident and would like to warn everyone to be careful when answering your door to strangers or to go inside if you’re on your porch and see any suspicious behavior.

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 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.

A 29-year-old man sustained facial injuries during a gunpoint robbery at 12:40 a.m. at 46th Street and Cedar Avenue. Police said the victim was approached by a male who struck him several times in the face and head with a metal object, believed to be a handgun.

The attacker took $45 from the man and ran east on Cedar. As a result of the attack, the victim had cuts and bruises on his face and was taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment.

The attacker is described as a black male, medium complexion, about 5’10” tall, wearing a black T-shirt and shorts. No other details were provided.

Don’t forget about the walking escort service. Call 215-898-WALK (9255) and a Public Safety Ambassador will be dispatched. This is a free service and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.