Chasing robbery suspects
keeps police on the go in 8th dist.

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

The 8th Police District has been cracking down on teenage crime in response to a series of incidents this month ranging from nuisance activities to muggings.
Most recently, officers arrested two brothers in connection with a strong-arm robbery on the 9800 block of Knights Road on May 10.
At about 12:30 a.m., one teen and another young man attacked a 47-year-old man and took $54 cash from his pocket, said Sgt. Bruce DeNoble of the 8th district.
After the suspect fled, the victim notified police and offered descriptions. Within an hour, officers spotted the suspects on the 9900 block of Frankford Ave. The victim identified them as the muggers.
Police arrested Joseph Bradley, 18, as well as Daniel Bradley, age unknown. Both live in the 8th district, DeNoble said. Both were charged with robbery, simple assault and related offenses.
On May 7, another robbery occurred at the Far Northeast A.A. fields, Comly and Thornton roads.
At about 7 p.m., a 15-year-old male jumped another youngster during a pickup ball game and took his wireless telephone, DeNoble said. Police later identified and arrested the suspect, whose name was not released because of his age.
Earlier that day, district officers confiscated an off-road motorcycle being ridden by a 14-year-old in the area of Sweetbriar and Fairdale roads. The dirt bike wasn’t registered or insured.
"It wasn’t even street legal — no lights or nothing," DeNoble said.
According to the sergeant, illegal motorized vehicles being ridden on city streets are an ongoing problem in the district. Some, such as mini-bikes or quads, are prohibited from the street by city ordinances. Other vehicles may be legal with the right components, but they must be registered and drivers must be properly licensed.
On May 6, district police busted a large gathering of underage drinkers in a secluded area near Ernie Davis Circle in Millbrook. In all, 18 juveniles were arrested at about 8:30 p.m., DeNoble said.
They allegedly were drinking from a beer keg.
"We’ve had complaints in the neighborhood, that’s why we were at that particular location," DeNoble said. "People who live back there, their property was being vandalized."
The police hope that other youths take the arrests as a warning.
"The idea is to send them a message that there’s zero tolerance for underage drinking," DeNoble said. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com