Antonio Santiago
Philadelphia police on Saturday arrested an East Frankford man for assaulting and robbing a 94-year-old woman on a Bell’s Corner street.
Tips from the public helped investigators identify Antonio Santiago, 29, of the 2200 block of Kennedy St., as the alleged culprit, police said.
The mugging occurred just after 2 p.m. on April 8 on the 8300 block of Loretto Ave. The victim was walking home from the Bells Corner Supermarket when Santiago allegedly approached her from behind, grabbed her pocketbook, pulled her to the ground and fled, police said. The woman suffered a broken arm, along with numerous cuts and bruises.
A surveillance camera captured the attack on video, which police distributed to the news media.
Based on civilian tips, detectives contacted Santiago, who reported voluntarily to Northeast headquarters for questioning, said Lt. Mark Burgmann. While arresting Santiago, police allegedly found a small quantity of heroin in his possession.
Santiago is charged with robbery, aggravated assault and other offenses related to the mugging, along with drug possession. He is not a stranger to the criminal justice system.
Barely one month after his 18th birthday, he was arrested for committing a March 9, 2001, robbery. He later pleaded guilty and was ordered to serve four years probation.
He next was accused in connection with a May 2, 2004, burglary, but the district attorney’s office later withdrew all charges in the case.
Santiago pleaded guilty to an Aug. 6, 2004, robbery, along with carrying a firearm without a license and conspiracy, and was sentenced in 2006 to serve five to 10 years in prison.
He was back out on the street last year when, on March 12, 2011, he allegedly raped someone forcibly. All charges against him, including false imprisonment, were later dismissed by the court or dropped by prosecutors.
Santiago is being investigated in connection with other unsolved robberies, Burgmann said. Call Northeast Detectives at 215–686–3153 to report information about him.
Santiago is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 1 and remains in jail in lieu of $200,000 bail. ••
