Police make arrests in Northeast Philadelphia robbery spree
Police have arrested three people in connection with a string of robberies targeting convenience stores, beer distributors and pizza shops in Northeast Philadelphia.
Police have arrested three people in connection with a string of robberies targeting convenience stores, beer distributors and pizza shops in Northeast Philadelphia.
Jian Chen, 27, and Patrick Rowe, 29, will be charged with robbery and related offenses in connection with 13 stickups, police said.
A third man, 25-year-old Corey Lockhart, faces weapons charges.
All three men were taken into custody Saturday.
Police said searches of each suspect's home turned up clothing evidence linking them to the crimes, which occurred between Aug. 16 and Oct. 10.
Video surveillance footage of 10 of the robberies released earlier this month showed a lone gunman, his face covered with a bandanna or scarf, entering stores and demanding cash from the registers.
Police said at the time they believed the man worked with one or more accomplices, and that he might have fled several robberies in a car.
A break in the case came shortly before 2:30 a.m. Friday, when a 15th District officer on patrol near the 5700 block of Harbison Avenue spotted a silver 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse that appeared to match the description of that vehicle, according to investigators.
The front-seat passenger, later identified as Rowe, matched the description of one of the robbery suspects caught on video, police said. Investigators identified Chen as the vehicle's owner.
Police said they recovered a silver AMT .45-caliber handgun, a black metal BB gun, a black Velcro half-mask, a black hooded sweatshirt and a black scarf from inside the car.
A search of Chen's home on the 3500 block of Aldine Street allegedly turned up two rifles, two handguns and a ballistic vest. Ammunition was found inside Lockhart's home on the 6300 block of Algard Street, according to investigators.
Chen remained jailed Sunday on 10 percent of $350,000 bail, while Lockhart was being held on 10 percent of $50,000 bail.
Bail for Rowe, also of the 6300 block of Algard Street, was set at 10 percent of $1.65 million, court records indicate.
All three men are next due in court Nov. 4 for status hearings.
Police said more details about the investigation and arrests will be disclosed during a press conference Monday morning.