Woman robbed two times in a row by armed gunmen in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police have released video of a July incident in which a woman was robbed not once, but twice, in a bold crime that was caught on camera.
The incident occurred on July 5 at 32nd and Allegheny Avenue in North Philadelphia.
"I'm surprised that it actually happened," said Vincent Howell, a longtime business owner in the area.
Howell owns the 32nd Street Pub, which is right across from where the robbery happened. Two women had parked their car there, thinking they'd be safe.
"The young lady thought her car would be safe parked here and caught an Uber somewhere else, then came back, and that's when they got robbed - when they came back," said Howell.
Police say the woman was getting into her car when two males approached and robbed her at gunpoint. The males then left, heading eastbound on Allegheny in a light-colored Mercedes sedan.
The males show up in a nearby alleyway, and then they go back to the victim, who is with another woman, to rob her again, taking more items.
"When I see something like that, that tells me that's somebody coming from out the neighborhood or someone who just moved into the neighborhood," said Howell.
Howell says the women were some of his regulars who were not in the bar that night. Once they told him about the robbery, he realized his cameras had captured the whole thing. That's the video police are now using as they try to solve the crime.
"That all goes under keeping the neighborhood safe, keeping my customers safe that want to sit down and enjoy themselves," said Howell.
Residents say that recently, there have also been a lot of car break-ins in the area.
"The same car was actually involved with some other car break-ins and robberies around here," said Howell of the light-colored Mercedes sedan.
"I saw at least two of them," said one man who didn't want to be identified. "Because one night I left my car unlocked, and they went in my car."
With video of the July gunpoint robbery, residents hope police are able to get the suspects off the streets.
"This neighborhood is a very good neighborhood," said Howell. "Once they're apprehended, it'll make the neighborhood feel more safe."
Police describe the suspects' vehicle as a white Mercedes sedan, though it looks more silver in the surveillance video, which police posted on their YouTube channel.
Police say if you see the suspects, don't approach them. Instead, call 911. If you have a tip, you can speak anonymously by calling 215-686-TIPS.
