PHILADELPHIA, PA — Police are searching for a suspect accused in two strong-arm robberies that occurred minutes apart in Center City, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Authorities reported that both incidents occurred April 9, beginning around 6:35 p.m. on the 1200 block of Chestnut Street and again at approximately 7:00 p.m. on the 1600 block of Walnut Street.
According to investigators, the first incident occurred inside a 7-Eleven at 1201 Chestnut St., where a male suspect allegedly took items and attempted to leave without paying. Police stated that when an employee tried to intervene, the suspect allegedly struck the employee multiple times before fleeing in an unknown direction.
Police reported that the second incident involved a 34-year-old victim who was walking along the 1600 block of Walnut Street when a male suspect allegedly approached from behind and grabbed the victim’s phone before running away.
According to police, the victim pursued the suspect, and a physical struggle followed after both individuals fell to the ground. Investigators stated the suspect allegedly struck the victim multiple times before fleeing. The phone was later recovered and returned to the victim by a passerby.
Authorities described the suspect as a male in his teens with a brown complexion, last seen wearing a light blue sweatshirt and black pants.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093 or 215-686-3094 or reach Det. Peyton.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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