PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia police said Thursday they are questioning two persons of interest in connection with a string of armed robberies in the city.<\/p>\n
So far, no one has been arrested or charged.<\/p>\n
The crimes involve suspects who allegedly used handguns equipped with laser sights.<\/p>\n
Police said there have been eight armed robberies since Oct. 2 involving a group of suspects. Authorities said the incidents have involved as many as five people.<\/p>\n
Suspects sought for multiple armed robberies caught on video in Philadelphia<\/p>\n
Surveillance video from one robbery shows a blue laser as suspects robbed two women on the 1900 block of North 16th Street near Temple University’s campus.<\/p>\n
Captain Jason Smith described the suspects’ actions during a news conference on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
“They make a beeline. They run at them like maniacs. Produced their handguns, pointing at their faces,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
Smith said police are concerned the violence could escalate.<\/p>\n
“The way these suspects are acting, its only a matter of time before something really bad happens,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
Police said that on Oct. 4, suspects targeted a man outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Center City, throwing him to the ground and taking his belongings.<\/p>\n
Authorities also said a couple on the 400 block of Spring Garden Street was robbed, with bags and wallets taken during the incident.<\/p>\n
Residents are concerned about the crimes and shocked by the surveillance footage.<\/p>\n
“How scary it is and how quick someone can just come through and grab somebody’s stuff like that is really scary,” said Taya Yarco of West Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
Police said the robberies are similar to armed robberies reported in August that involved masked men and AR-style rifles, but investigators have not determined whether the cases are connected.<\/p>\n
Authorities said a stolen vehicle linked to the robberies has been recovered and is being processed. Investigators are also searching for a red Honda believed to be connected to the incidents.<\/p>\n
“I’m hoping they get caught, absolutely,” Yarco said.<\/p>\n
Police said the most recent robbery involved as many as five suspects. The investigation remains ongoing.<\/p>\n
The locations of the robberies are:<\/p>\n
Sunday, Oct. 4<\/p>\n
-400 Spring Garden St. at 4:18 a.m.<\/p>\n
-1900 Arch St. at 5:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
-2222 Green St. at 5:35 a.m.<\/p>\n
-1300 N Broad St. at 5:56 a.m.<\/p>\n
-1900 N 16th St. at 6:03 a.m.<\/p>\n
Tuesday, Oct. 6<\/p>\n
-700 N. 27th St. at 5:40 a.m.<\/p>\n
-1900 W Norris St. at 6:23 a.m.<\/p>\n