Arrests in murder of business owner

NORRISTOWN, Pa. - February 4, 2009 - 58-year-old /*Robert Chae*/ was killed on January 9th during a Montgomery County home invasion.

Chae was the owner of Penn Center Beauty Supply in Center City Philadelphia.

He died during the robbery at his home.

Investigators say Chae was beaten and his head was wrapped in duct tape. He died from asphyxiation.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, the D.A. announced charges against Chae's nephew, Angelo Shin, along with Robert Eatman, Julius Wise, Amatadi Latham, Karre Pitts, and Joseph Page.

All are charged with murder and related offenses.

CLICK HERE to see photos of the suspects.

Shin, Eatman, Latham and Wise are now in custody. Pitts and Page remain at large.

Anyone who may have information on this case is asked to contact the Montgomery Township Police Department at 215-362-2300.

At a news conference, Montgomery County D.A. Risa Vetri Ferman called Shin a "wanna-be" gangster" who helped mastermind and set-up the robbery of his uncle.

"He's a traitor to his family, he's a traitor to his people, and his treachery is of the lowest kind that I would say we have every seen here," Ferman said. "For $2,000 he was willing to betray his family. That's what he received in this robbery."

Shin, according to detectives, was not at the scene the morning of the robbery and Chae's death. Shin faces third degree murder charges.

The D.A. says none of the suspects will face the death penalty, because they did not intend to kill Chae.

After Wednesday's court hearing, Shin's lawyer, David Mischak, said, "He did not imagine, in any way shape or form, that any harm would be caused to his family,"

On the day of the murder, police were called to the scene in the early morning hours to the 100 block of Gwynmont Drive in Montgomery Twp.

Investigators say Chae had opened the garage door as he was leaving for work. Three men rushed into the home through the open door.

Chae's wife, their adult son and daughter were taken to the basement by the intruders, and bound with duct tape. One man stayed with the son and daughter-in-law.

Police say the other two questioned Chae's wife about where the money was kept. She took them to the safe and opened it.

At some point, Mrs. Chae was able to flee through the basement door to the home of a neighbor.

Soon after all three intruders fled the home, and took off in a dark SUV.

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