Series of early morning armed robberies reported on same day near East Falls

The Philadelphia Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying the three suspects connected to six armed robberies near the East Falls section of Philadelphia.

According to police, all of the robberies occurred on Aug. 18 between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Police say the first robbery occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. on the 1900 block of North 30th Street when a 29-year-old male was approached by two unknown males. The victim was ordered by the suspects to get on the the ground and was struck in the back of his head. The suspects fled with the victim’s wallet.

The second robbery occurred approximately three minutes after the first incident when a 21-year-old woman walked past two unknown men on Montgomery Avenue. According to police, the two men approached her while pointing a handgun. They took her pocketbook, iPhone, and $30 in cash. She reported seeing a silver minivan driving on 32nd Street before the robbery. 

The third robbery occurred at approximately 5:50 a.m. on the 3200 block of Cecil B. Moore when a 57-year-old woman was approached by two men while waiting for a SEPTA bus. Police said one of the men said “give me your money” while pointing a gun at her. She handed him her bag as one male approached from behind taking her book bag, jacket, wallet and cell phone. She reported that the suspects fled in a silver minivan towards Natrona Street.

The fourth robbery occurred near 22nd and Dauphin Avenue when a 51-year-old man was approached by an unknown man who told him he was about to be robbed. Police say the suspect forced the man to the ground as another suspect approached and struck him on his head. The suspects got away with a book bag containing $30 in cash, identification and a diamond ring. The suspects fled south on 22nd street on foot.

The fifth robbery occurred at 5:55 a.m. at 23rd and Norris Street when a 24-year-old woman was approached by a silver SUV with three males inside. Police say two unknown males exited the SUV while one of them pointed a gun at her. The woman was threatened and struck by one of the suspects when she began screaming. The suspects got away with the woman’s purse containing $50, identification and a cell phone.

The sixth robbery occurred on the 2900 block of Ridge Avenue when a 38-year-old male was approached by two unknown males while he was standing at a bus stop. Police say the suspects asked the man for the time and a light as they both produced handguns. The suspects fled on foot towards Page Street with the man’s pager, cell phone and $50 in cash.

Suspect descriptions 

One suspect is described by police as an African-American male who is about 20 years old with a thin build weighing between 160 and 170 pounds. He has medium-brown colored skin and does not have any facial hair. During the robberies, he was wearing a black hoodie with an orange stripe across the chest, a black baseball cap with the words “Northeast” written on it and dark-colored pants. He was armed with a gun.

Police describe the second suspect as a 20-year-old African American. During the robberies he was wearing a dark hoodie and was armed with a gun.

The third suspect is described by police as an African American male who was wearing black clothing during the incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to call the tips line at (215) 686-8477 (TIPS) or text a tip to 773847 (PPDTIP)