Less than a day after Philadelphia police released surveillance images from three armed robberies in the Northeast, a tipster led investigators to the suspect, who was arrested on Sept. 14.
William Brown, 18, of the 3600 block of Rhawn St. has been charged with multiple counts of robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy, weapons violations and related offenses.
On Sept. 10 at 5:15 p.m., Brown allegedly entered the Grace Dollar store at 6900 Bustleton Ave., pointed a gun at two employees, demanded cash and fled on a bicycle with $200 from the register.
Two days later at 3:40 p.m., Brown allegedly entered the Rong Nail Salon at 7105 Bustleton Ave., pointed a gun at an employee, demanded cash and fled with $80.
On Sept. 13 at 10:55 p.m., Brown allegedly entered the Asia Express Restaurant at 7246 Castor Ave., pointed a gun at an employee, demanded cash and fled with $100.
Witnesses told police that a lookout appeared to participate in the Sept. 10 crime. They described him as a white teenage male.
After publicizing store surveillance photos featuring the then-unknown robber on Sept. 14, police received a tip identifying Brown as the culprit. A police source told the Times that Brown’s mother made the call.
Officers went to the 7000 block of Saul St. that evening, spotted Brown and arrested him after a foot pursuit, the police source said. Police learned that Brown’s suspected accomplice, a 14-year-old boy, was at the same location and arrested him inside a house.
The alleged accomplice’s identity has not been released because of his age.
Brown remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 30. As recently as May 2010, Brown was in the court-ordered custody of a juvenile detention center for unknown crimes, according to court records. ••
