Cops: Intruders posed as police officers in Southwest Philly home invasion
Police are investigating a home invasion that took place in Southwest Philadelphia early Saturday. Though three men were taken into custody in connection with the crime, they were later released.
Three masked men claiming to be police officers reportedly broke into a Southwest Philadelphia home and bound two occupants before fleeing with only a cell phone early Saturday.
No injuries were reported during the incident, which unfolded about 2:45 a.m. along the 6000 block of Allman Street.
An 18-year-old woman and 19-year-old man told investigators they were sleeping in a second-floor bedroom when they were awakened by a loud noise. Three men claiming to be officers barged into the room and demanded money, the victims said.
The men allegedly forced the male victim into the front bedroom and tied him up with scarves, then ordered the woman to stand in the middle bedroom as they ransacked the house.
The suspects soon realized the woman was trying to conceal a cell phone and took it from her before forcing her into the front bedroom, covering her eyes, and binding her legs with a scarf, the victims told police.
The men fled the home after telling the victims to count to 100. The victims were able to untie themselves and called police.
A short time later, officers took three men into custody at 17th and Sansom streets in Center City. The men – aged 17, 21, and 23 – were transported to the Southwest Detective Division for questioning but later released, pending further investigation.
Authorities on Saturday described the investigation as "active and open." Anyone with information was asked to contact Philadelphia police.