Camera system helps SEPTA nab 3 phone robbers

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Surveillance cameras captured their attempt to flee, but a trio of theft suspects failed to outsmart a group of SEPTA officials who worked together to track them down and make an arrest.

SEPTA police say 18-year-old Raekwon Jackson is seen on surveillance video running from the Market Street EL in Millbourne, Delaware County Sunday afternoon.

In the video, one of his two alleged accomplices keeps a lookout.

Police say Jackson had just snatched an iPhone from a young woman.

But keeping a watchful eye was Jakira Jones, a dispatcher in SEPTA's Operations Center.

"At first when he ran off the train, we only seen the back so we just assumed he had on all black clothing until we seen another video of him coming out the roller gate of the station that we see the front," Jones said.

The suspects were wearing distinctive jackets.

After retrieving more video, Jones was able to send photos of the suspects via cell phone to all SEPTA officers. But two hours passed and no luck.

Then Jones spotted the trio along the subway line at 13th Street in Philadelphia right below the Operations Center.

"I was like 'oh, wait a minute. There were the guys right there with the cell phone theft,'" Jones said.

A sergeant was near Jones and ran downstairs.

The suspects seem to know something is up, but are arrested without a fight.

"This is a great image of what we do. The video technology throughout the system where we have over 1,100 cameras on the Market EL and the Broad Street subway," SEPTA Police Inspector Steven Harold said.

Jackson, Leon Guisbert, and a juvenile were arrested for theft conspiracy and other related charges.

They may have managed to get away with the crime if not for technology and Jones' awareness.

"It felt good to get them so they could off our system, go to jail, and somebody can have their phones," Jones said.

SEPTA police say Jackson did admit to stealing the phone.