Surveillance photo
It’s getting more dangerous to drive a taxi in Center City or even Frankford, for that matter, thanks to three unknown teenagers who are sought by Philadelphia police. Detectives believe that the same young men held up three cab drivers in four days in the same general area.
Police released surveillance video of the teens on Aug. 31, five days after they held up a cabbie at an empty lot on the 4200 block of Orchard St. The stick-up occurred at about 10 a.m. after someone called the cab company to order a ride. When the driver arrived at the prescribed location, two unknown guys ambushed from behind. One of the attackers pistol-whipped the victim in the head and demanded money. The victim surrendered his wallet containing $100 cash. Both suspects fled northbound on Orchard Street.
Previously, three teens with similar descriptions targeted a pair of cab drivers on separate days near 1500 Deal St. after taking a free ride from Downtown.
On Aug. 23, a 39-year-old cabbie picked up the suspects at 16th and Sansom streets and took them to Frankford. At the end of the trip the suspects exited the car and gathered at the driver’s window, where one pointed a gun at the victim and demanded his money. The driver stepped on the gas and sped away, hearing a gunshot as he fled. The robbers ran north on Romain Street from Deal Street.
One day later, three young men hailed a cab at 12th and Race streets and instructed the 53-year-old woman driver to take them to 1500 Deal. At the destination, one of the riders pointed a gun at the driver and demanded money. She pushed the weapon away, prompting the teens to flee. They were last seen creeping through a hole in a fence on Deal Street.
Descriptions of the suspects by the victims ranged in age from 14 to 20. The robbers, all of whom are black, wore different clothing during the crimes. For full descriptions and surveillance video, visit the Philadelphia Police page on YouTube. Call 215–686-TIPS or text to PPD TIP to report information. ••
