14-year-old charged in 15 armed robberies in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA -- Police have arrested and charged a 14-year-old teen in connection with 15 armed robberies in the past 30 days.

The crime spree occurred on streets at various hours near Drexel University campus.

Police said many of the robberies were violent, including the most recent incident that occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 30, around 6:45 a.m. in the 400 block of North Preston Street.

Police said the suspect approached a woman and produced a black handgun. Despite telling her "don't scream," police said the woman yelled as the suspect reached for her purse.

The suspect then pushed the women to the ground, took her purse and attempted to flee on a bicycle on the 4000 block of Spring Garden Street.

The woman pursued the suspect, attempting to knock him off the bicycle and take her purse back. The suspect got off, pushed her to the ground, again, punched her in the face twice and fled in the same direction.

The victim said the suspect took a small-style purse, light brown in color, with a shoulder strap. In it was wallet identification, credit cards, a Samsung Galaxy S5 cell phone and other items.

Police said the suspect, a student at Overbrook High School, sometimes had 2 accomplices accompany him during the crimes.

Surveillance video was released Friday of the suspect using a credit card he had just strong-armed from a victim at 40th and Preston streets, and tips came in quickly.

He was taken into custody overnight.

Through its social network, the university had notified the student body about the crime spree.

They are relieved to know the suspect has been apprehended, but stunned to learn of his young age.

In total, the suspect has been charged in the following robberies that occurred on the noted dates and locations:

- Sept. 30: 400 block of North Preston Street

- Sept. 29: 3900 block of Baring Street

- Sept. 27: 400 block of North 41st Street

- Sept. 21: Preston Street and Powelton Avenue

- Sept. 21: 4400 block of Sansom Street

- Sept. 18: 32nd Street and Haverford Avenue

- Sept. 18: 3100 block of Hamilton Street

- Sept. 18: 500 block of North 34th Street

- Sept. 18: 600 block of North 34th Street

- Sept. 17: 600 block of North 32nd Street

- Sept. 10: 4000 block of Baring Street

- Sept. 5: 4000 block of Spring Garden Street

- Sept. 5: 34th Street and Mantua Avenue

- Sept. 5: 3500 block of Hamilton Street

- Aug. 30: 400 block of North 35th Street