Police: 3 robbers arrested after Upper Darby standoff

By Peter Mucha and Max Stendahl

Inquirer Staff Writers

The first intended victim got away, but the armed criminals didn't, thanks to a police operation that involved Upper Darby's SWAT team, fire trucks, and helicopter assistance from Delaware State Police, authorities say.

Arrested were Jeffrey Mason, 24; Shyeam Mann, 24; and Edwin Clark, 18, all of Philadelphia.

All three had criminal records, and Mann and Clark had been arrested in separate murder cases in Philadelphia, in 2006 and 2007 respectively, according to Michael Chitwood, superintendant of Upper Darby police.

The drama began around 1 a.m., when the suspects confronted a man arriving home at a rowhouse on Wingate Road, Chitwood said.

The man pretended to cooperate, saying he'd have to go inside to get money, but then bolted and jumped back in the van. A shot was fired as the man sped away and "blew a hole" in the dashboard of the van, leaving the man unharmed, Chitwood said. Authorities did not release the man's name.

The suspects kicked in a window to get into the home, where police later found five guns, and a person inside jumped through a front window to escape, the chief said.

Police arrived and set up a perimeter, including the Upper Darby SWAT team, and fire trucks, so the ladders could be used to access the rowhomes' rooftop.

The suspects went out an upstairs window and hid on the roof, Chitwood said.

Delaware State Police responded to a request for helicopter assistance and landed to pick up an Upper Darby officer before flying over the rooftop.

When the chopper's searchlights revealed Mann and Clark, they surrendered, Chitwood said.

Mason was found in the basement of another home after getting in through a skylight, Chitwood said.

That arrest took place around 5:30 a.m, ending the standoff.

Two guns were initially recovered: a Mac-10 and a semiautomatic pistol.

"These guys were armed and they were ready for war, but they didn't fire any shots at police and police didn't fire any shots at them," Chitwood said about two hours after the arrests.

Police later recovered five loaded guns in the home at 215 Wingate Rd., one of which had been stolen, Chitwood said.

"The whole neighborhood was under siege," Chitwood said at a press conference Friday morning. "This could have been tragic if they wanted to have a shootout."

The three suspects were being held at Upper Darby Police headquarters, with an arraignment expected during the afternoon.

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.

Staff writer Max Stendahl contributed to this article.

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