Police: Teen shot young
rider in back, stole dirt bike

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

A civilian tip helped police on Monday nab a Summerdale teenager suspected in the weekend slaying of Luis Navarro, the Juniata Park youth who was shot repeatedly in the back while riding his new dirt bike in Tacony Creek Park.
Eric Smith, 16, of the 800 block of Granite St., is charged as an adult with capital murder, armed robbery and related offenses.
According to Chief Inspector Joseph Fox, of the police department’s detectives bureau, officers recovered the 2008 Kawasaki at a home on the 800 block of Marcella St., where Smith and two friends allegedly stashed it.
Police have questioned, but have not charged, the suspect’s two friends, who are juveniles and have not been named publicly. One of the friends lives in the Marcella Street house, police said.
Investigators also found the alleged murder weapon, a semiautomatic pistol, in a freezer inside the same home, police said.
Smith acted alone in the Saturday evening shooting, Fox said, and initially hid the bike in the basement of another unspecified home. But a parent of one of the youths found it and recognized it from news reports of the murder.
"The mother of one of the kids involved in the investigation knew the bike was in the house and repeatedly said, ‘Get that bike out of the house! I know that belongs to the dead kid!’" Fox said.
But the parent failed to notify authorities, said Fox, who declined to name the woman. She has not been charged with a crime.
Police got a break in the case on Monday afternoon as Smith and his two friends moved the motorcycle.
A construction worker saw the youths pushing it near Marcella and Trotter streets and notified Officer Jose Tirado, of the 25th Police District. The worker recognized its bright green and black paint job despite efforts by the teens to shroud it in a blue tarpaulin.
"He immediately did the right thing and called police, and we were able to work the investigation," Fox said.
Tirado and his partner, Officer John Stokes, then spotted the three youths entering an alley at the rear of the Marcella Street house, where one of the teens lives, police said.
The officers caught the youths as they exited the front of the house. According to Fox, the serial number on the bike matches that of the one stolen from Navarro.
Navarro, of the 4600 block of Pennhurst St., had received the motorcycle as a gift for his 16th birthday less than a week before his murder. He was riding it in the woods near the 4700 block of Tampa St. just before 7 p.m. on Saturday when Smith allegedly confronted him at gunpoint.
Navarro stopped and attempted to knock the weapon from Smith’s hand when the gunman fired two shots, Fox said. Navarro managed to get back on the bike and tried to ride away, but Smith allegedly fired several more times, striking the victim at least twice.
"The indication is that (Smith) fired off another shot while the victim was on the ground," Fox said.
Smith allegedly took off with the bike.
"Indications are that the shooter was by himself and it was a chance encounter," Fox said.
Navarro died at the scene.
Smith later bragged about the crime to friends "on the street," the chief inspector added.
Fox said that Smith is "known" and "has had prior contact with police," but did not detail the suspect’s prior record. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com