More than a dozen teens robbed in Roxborough

Philadelphia police arrested two men and were looking for two others Sunday after they allegedly robbed more than a dozen teens at gunpoint at a Roxborough playground Saturday night, investigators said.

Officers nabbed two of the suspects, 20-year-old Keith Washington and 24-year-old Linwood Stinson, both of Philadelphia, minutes after the 11 p.m. robbery outside the Kendrick Recreation Center at 5822 Ridge Ave., according to police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.

He offered this account:

The victims, who were not identified, were clustered in groups at the playground when a red Chevrolet Camaro pulled up. Three men exited the car, approached the teens and asked them if any had some marijuana. All said no.

"Then suddenly two males pulled out handguns and started pointing it at everyone in the group," Vanore said in a statement.

The robbers then ordered the teens in each group to the ground and took their cellphones, cash, wallets and other items before driving off.

Minutes later, officers in an unmarked car spotted the Camaro at a stoplight a few miles away at Henry and Allegheny avenues. Police then converged on the Camaro at 27th and Allegheny Avenue.

The three passengers fled. Washington, of the 2900 block of N. 12th Street, had been driving and was captured. Stinson was captured blocks away after a foot chase, according to Vanore.

The two other suspects are being sought.

Police recovered two BB-guns and some of the items stolen in the robbery, Vanore said. Officers also determined the car had been stolen late last week.

Charges were pending.

Contact John P. Martin at 610-313-8120 or at jmartin@phillynews.com.