Six Upper Darby area youth were arrested early Saturday on charges of using replica guns to rob two victims of their designer clothes and sneakers.
Angel Velesaca-Angulo,18; Welington Zhiminaicela-Malla,18; Christian Landaverde, 18; and Johan Alvarado-Villegas, 19; and two juveniles, all of Upper Darby were charged with robbery, conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property and assault following an incident in the 100 block of South 69th Street.
According to the criminal complaint Upper Darby police were called at 1:09 a.m. to that location for a gunpoint robbery. Radio reports indicated a subject was armed with an AK-47 and another with a pistol.
Police radio said the perpetrators fled in a white Ford sedan, possibly a Fusion, toward Long Lane.
The victims told police they were walking from Cardington Field through a parking garage in the 6800 of Chestnut Street when they noticed they were being followed by six subjects who pointed a handgun and a rifle at them.
The robbers told the victims to take off their sneakers, jackets and hoodies. One victim was wearing an Under Armour backpack, which they pulled off him.
The group told the victims they were members of MS-13 to which when victim replied, “F*** MS-13.” The robber with the handgun then struck him in the face with the weapon and kicked him to the ground.
After getting the jackets, hoodies and backpacks the group fled towards Heather Road and entered the Ford sedan.
Just minutes later, police observed a vehicle matching that description stopped at Walnut Street and Long Lane.
In the Ford, police found an AR-style compressed air BB gun, a Glock style BB gun, a black Moncler Jacket, valued at $2,000, a Bathing Ape Sweatshirt, valued at $600, a pair of New Balance 220 sneakers and an Under Armour backpack.
The four adults in the vehicle were arraigned before District Judge David R. Griffin who set a monetary bail of $100,000. They were unable to post bail and taken to the Delaware County prison and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing Nov. 24 in front of District Judge Harry J. Karapalides.
The two minors will be charged through juvenile petitions and have been placed on home monitoring.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said the group was not members of the MS-13 gang involvement and the weapons used were fake BB gun replicas.
He also praised the work of Officers.
“Our patrol officers acted immediately, found the suspects within minutes, and arrested all six,” he said. “Let me be very clear: Upper Darby has zero tolerance for this type of crime. If you commit crimes here, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted. This incident is another example of the great work our officers and detectives do every single day. Their fast response, professionalism, and dedication keep this community safe.”