Teen charged in beating death

A suspected teen killer who beat a Castor Gardens man to death early this month landed in police custody on Friday, days after the Citizens Crime Commission offered a $10,000 reward for his capture.
Police say that Marcquis Walker Williams, 17, of the 5300 block of Gainor Road in Overbrook, was motivated by robbery when he attacked Kwok W. Ho, 69, of the 1300 block of Greeby St., on July 10.
As Ho walked along his home block at about 7:40 p.m., a "large" group of teen males confronted him, said Officer Beth DiDonato, a police spokeswoman. Williams allegedly grabbed the victim, placed him in a choke hold and threw him to the ground.
It is not known if Williams took anything from Williams.
The males fled moments before police arrived. Officers found Ho unresponsive on the ground. He was taken to Frankford Hospital-Frankford and later transferred to two other medical facilities. He died in intensive care on July 17.
The victim’s family early last week posted the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer. That led to Friday’s arrest on the 2300 block of E. Clearfield St. in Port Richmond. On Monday, Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson cited the case as an example of how witness tips can help police capture suspected criminals.
Williams will be charged as an adult with murder and remains in jail pending a preliminary hearing. No others were charged. ••



Police try to ID robbery suspect

Philadelphia police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who robbed the Payless Shoe Store, at 9200 Frankford Ave., on July 16 at about 3:10 p.m.
The suspect allegedly threatened a clerk with a screwdriver, grabbed about $100 and fled northbound on Frankford Avenue.
His image was filmed on store surveillance equipment. Anyone recognizing the suspect is asked to call Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153. oo



Duo charged in Kmart theft

A suspected scrap-metal thief broke both of his legs after he jumped off of a Mayfair department store roof attempting to flee police early Monday morning.
Security guards for Kmart, at 7101 Roosevelt Blvd., were anticipating a burglary attempt as thieves had targeted the store twice in the previous five days.
When two men climbed the roof at about 1:50 a.m., the guards called Philadelphia police. As 15th district officers arrived, the suspects leaped to the parking lot below and tried to flee on foot.
One male, later identified as Allessio Taglioni, 19, of the 6500 block of Vandike St., carried his injured partner, Daniel Power, 28, of the 6300 block of Algard St., as far as Roosevelt Boulevard, police said. Taglioni then dropped Power and ran westbound on Friendship Street.
Police arrested Power in the store lot and Taglioni on the 2200 block of Friendship St. Officers allegedly recovered from the suspects two bags containing numerous tools and flashlights.
Both were charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and related crimes.
In all three incidents, police said, burglars appeared to target air conditioners on the roof. The cooling equipment contains recyclable metals like copper, which has gained in market value recently. ••



Police raid Northeast home

Philadelphia police arrested two men and seized more than a quarter-million dollars worth of marijuana, along with three guns, from a Northeast Philadelphia home on July 9.
Members of the Narcotics Field Unit raided 1348 Magee St., in Castor Gardens, at about 6:30 p.m. following an investigation into alleged drug activity there.
Inside the residence and a nearby car, officers allegedly recovered more than 34,450 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and three handguns. The drugs have a street value of $350,000, police said.
Officers arrested two Southwest Philadelphia men at the scene: Joel Wisdom, of the 8400 block of Lindbergh Blvd., and Orville Wright, of the 2500 block of Berbro St.
They were charged with drug possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy. ••
Reporter William Kenny compiled these reports.