The robberies happened between July 1 and October 26.
Arrested and charged in connection with two incidents is 25-year-old Mark Nkwocha of the 4600 block of Fairmount Avenue.
Nkwocha was taken into custody on October 17th after police say he and another suspect tried to rob two Cricket stores, one on Rising Sun Avenue and another on Castor Avenue.
Another person was arrested Wednesday night after a citywide alert went out on police radio that a Metro PCS store had just been robbed on Frankford Avenue.
A roving SWAT team then decided to go check another store on Broad Street.
Police Lt. John Stanford explains, "As they're pulling up they see a suspect running out of the store with the owner chasing the individual. They immediately jump into action. They grab the individual, they recover a handgun from this individual."
Police believe he was involved in at least seven of the robberies, and they've tied the other suspect to four of the robberies.
They've got two men in custody, but believe there may be more involved.
In at least one of the cases, two suspects are seen on surveillance running across a parking lot. They get into the passenger side of a car and someone else is the getaway driver.
Police say these guys were bold and very dangerous, pointing a gun at store employees all over the city.
The following is a list, released on Thursday, detailing 16 of 18 robberies attributed to this group of suspected criminals.
To submit tips on any of these incidents via telephone, dial 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.
Incident #1: On July 1, 2015, 7:57 p.m., an unknown male entered the Cricket store located at 200 W. Chelten Ave. and pointed a black handgun at an employee, demanding money from the cash register and safe. After the employee complied, handing the suspect an unknown amount of money, the suspect ordered the employees into the bathroom then fled through a rear door in an unknown direction.
Suspect Description: Black male, 6'0", mid-20s, thin build, 160lbs, clean shaven, wearing a jean jacket, and tan/brown hat.
Incident #2: On September 1, 2015, at 7:35 p.m., two unknown males, one who was armed with a handgun, entered the Metro PCS store at 4229 North Broad Street demanding money from the cash registers. Once inside, the second suspect detained a customer while an employee struggled with the initial offender while he was taking money. During the struggle the suspect struck the employee with the gun (possibly plastic) and removed cash from the registers. Both suspects then fled on foot.
Suspect Description: Suspect #1: Black male, 6'0", 20 years-of-age, 160 lbs, wearing a short sleeve white shirt, black cap, and a nylon stocking see-through mask. Suspect #2: Black male, 6'0", 20 years-of-age, thin build, wearing a long sleeve white shirt.
Incident #3: On September 12, 2015, at 7:55 p.m., an unknown male entered the Cricket store located at 7232 Frankford Avenue and walked behind the counter demanding money from the register and safe. When the employee noticed a gun with a brown handle and silver hammer, he complied with the suspect's demands. After the suspect removed an unknown amount of money from the cash register, he demanded money from the safe. When the employee refused, the suspect took the worker's wallet and fled in an unknown direction.
Suspect Description: Black male, 5'10", 20 years-of-age, thin build, round face, deep voice, wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, brown hat with flaps on the sides.
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Incident #4: On September 25, 2015, at 4:57 p.m., an unknown male entered the Metro PCS store, located at 6204 Ridge Avenue, pretending to be armed with a weapon. He demanded money from the registers. After taking an undetermined amount of cash, the suspect fled and was last seen entering a white Jeep Liberty.
Suspect Description: Black male, 6'0", beard, wearing a tan bucket hat, nylon mask, white t-shirt, and blue jeans.
Incident #5: On October 2, 2015, 6:10 p.m., two unknown males, one armed with a handgun, entered the Metro PCS store located at 2322 North 29th Street. Once inside both suspects went behind the counter and removed an undetermined amount of money from the registers. They took the employee's cell phone then fled on foot in an unknown direction.
Suspect Description: Suspect #1: Black male, 6'1", early 30s, wearing a black jacket with a hood underneath, black boots, black gloves, and a black stocking cap. Suspect #2: Black male, 6'1", wearing a dark gray hooded sweatshirt, and dark colored blue jeans.
Incident #6: On October 6, 2015, at 10:10 a.m., an unknown male entered the Metro PCS store located at 2322 North 29th Street and stated, "Y'all know what this is." He reached into a bag and cocked a handgun. The suspect then took an unknown amount of money from the cash registers. After taking the money the suspect forced the employee into to a back room then fled.
Suspect Description: Black male in a female-style, all-black Burka, carrying a black bag with handles.
Incident #7: On October 8, 2015, at 5:16 p.m., two unknown males entered the Metro PCS store located at 6204 Ridge Avenue. Once inside the suspects walked behind the counter. One suspect, who was armed with a handgun, removed an unknown amount of money from the cash register. Both suspects fled on foot.
Suspect Description: Suspect #1: Black male 6'1"; black pants, black sweatshirt, gray sneakers. Suspect #2: Black male, wearing a long-sleeve shirt underneath a dark short-sleeve shirt with white writing, stocking mask, and a baseball cap with a multi-colored brim.
Incident #8: On October 10, 2015, at 11:20 a.m., an unknown male entered the Metro PCS store located at 721 Adams Avenue inquiring about a phone. Suddenly, the suspect reached into his pocket simulating he had a weapon. He demanded cell phones from the store's inventory and money. The clerk complied, and the suspect fled on foot with several phones, tablets and an unknown amount of cash.
Suspect Description: Black male, 20 years-of-age, 5'11"-6'0", 250lbs, dark complexion, wearing a black North Face jacket, black pants and sunglasses.
Incident #9: On October 14, 2015, at 2:50 p.m., an unknown male entered the Metro PCS store located at 721 Adams Avenue inquiring about several phones when a second unknown male entered the store and ran behind the counter demanding phones from the inventory. The suspect then removed a tan bag from his hooded shirt pocket and began placing phones inside. Both males then fled on foot and were last seen entering a maroon sedan that fled north on Howland Street.
Suspect Description: Suspect #1: Black male, 20 years-of-age, 5'10", thin build, clean shaven, dark complexion, wearing a black sweatshirt with a white Nike logo, gray sweat pants, and a black skull cap. Suspect #2: Black male, 25 years-of-age, light beard, dark complexion, 5'11", 170lbs, medium build, wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt and carrying a tan bag.
Incident #10: On October 15, 2015, at 4:35 p.m., an unknown male entered the Metro PCS store located at 2121 Oregon Avenue and inquired about a phone. A second unknown male entered the store and walked behind the counter demanding phones from the inventory. That suspect then began filling a backpack and several bags with phones. Both offenders fled on foot and were last seen entering a blue-gray sedan, possibly a Toyota, that headed west on Oregon Avenue.
Suspect Description: Suspect #1: Black male, 30 years-of-age, 5'8", beard, low-cut hair, dark complexion, wearing a black fleece jacket, navy blue shirt and jeans. Suspect #2: Black male, 20-30 years-of-age, 6'1", mustache, bumps on face, dark complexion, wearing a black jacket and a blue hooded sweatshirt.
Incident #11: On October 17, 2015, 3 p.m., two unknown males entered the Cricket store located at 7225 Rising Sun Avenue. Once inside one of the suspects asked about the store's security system and about a phone. Both suspects left the store, then returned a few minutes later once a customer who had been there left. One suspect then reached toward his waist stating he was going to "take all these phones". When the employee realized a robbery was underway, he pulled a gun from behind the counter. The suspects fled without taking anything. No injuries were reported.
Suspect Description: Suspect #1: Mark Nkwocha (arrested and in custody) Suspect #2: Black male, 20 years-of-age, 5'10", 200lbs, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
Incident #12: On October 17, 2015, at 4:15 p.m., an unknown male entered the Cricket store located at 6709 Castor Avenue. Once inside he began inquiring about phones behind the counter. After the employee refused to show him the phones, the suspect left the store. Moments later a second male entered the store also inquiring about a phone behind the counter. He said he would return with money then left the store. Believing both men to be suspicious, the employee locked the door and notified a passing uniformed police officer. While the employee was speaking with the officer, both men returned to the store, then fled when they saw police. Officers arrested one of the suspects a short time later. The other suspect was last seen in a gold sedan traveling north on Castor Avenue.
Suspect Description: Suspect #1: Mark Nkwocha (arrested and in custody) Suspect #2: Black male; 20 years-of-age, 5'10", 200lbs, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
Incident #13: On October 24, 2015, 4 p.m., two unknown males entered the Metro PCS store located 6309 Stenton Avenue. One was armed with a handgun. Once inside the suspects forced employees on the floor and demanded money from the cash register and safe. The suspects fled on foot with an unknown amount of cash and five display phones.
Suspect Description: Suspect #1: Black male, 6'1", 25-35 years-of-age, dark complexion, chin hair, wearing a black mask, dark blue hooded sweatshirt and gloves. Suspect #2: Black male, 6'0", 25-30 years-of-age, wearing a dark mask, gloves, dark hooded sweatshirt and armed with a handgun.
Incident #14: On October 24, 2015, at 5:48 p.m., an unknown male entered Hi Com Wireless located at 13 East Chelten Avenue armed with a handgun. He demanded phones and money from the cash register. An employee complied, surrendering cash and 25 cell phones. The suspect fled on foot and was last seen heading toward Germantown Avenue.
Suspect Description: Black male, 6'4", thin build, dark complexion, wearing a black hooded jacket, black sweatpants, white sneakers, with a black cloth on his face.
Incident #15: On August 26, 2015, at 7:50 p.m., an unknown male entered a Metro PCS store armed with a handgun and walked behind the counter demanding money. When the employee refused his demands a struggle began. During this struggle, the suspect dropped the handgun and fled on foot without obtaining any money.
Suspect Description: Black male, wearing all black clothing, and a black stocking mask.
Incident #16: On October 26, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., an unknown male entered the Metro PCS store located at 7219 Frankford Avenue and walked behind the counter. He pointed a handgun at the employee and demanded money from the cash register. After the employee complied, the suspect fled on foot.
Suspect Description: Black male, 6'1", wearing a black mask, gray/black zip-up windbreaker, dark colored jeans, black boots and armed with a handgun.