Philadelphia police are investigating three home invasions, including two involving gunfire, that occurred in the Northeast last weekend, but have been offered very little information about what the bandits look like.
There is no evidence that the cases are connected.
In the latest incident, a man and his wife were bound and beaten before the intruders made off with $10,000 cash. It occurred Sunday at 3:24 a.m. when three men broke into a home on the 1300 block of Friendship St. by climbing through a side window.
One of the intruders had a gun. As he pistol-whipped the 21-year-old husband in the head, his weapon fired accidentally. The bullet struck the ceiling. The suspects also beat the 21-year-old wife in the head, ransacked the house and grabbed the cash from a dresser drawer, along with two mobile phones.
The husband suffered severe bruises and cuts of the head and right shoulder. The wife suffered bruises of the back of the head. Both were treated at Aria Health-Torresdale and released.
The victims described the assailants as Hispanic. The gunman was 20 to 25 years old and wore a mask and black gloves. Police have no further descriptions.
Earlier Sunday, at 1:51 a.m., three or four men burst into the home of another couple on the 4000 block of Greeby St. in Tacony. One of the intruders had a gun and demanded money from the couple, then shot their dog.
The animal suffered a wound of the right eye and was euthanized. The bandits fled empty-handed. The victims — a man, 24, and woman, age unknown — were uninjured.
The victims described the invaders only as “three or four” black men, police said.
Another home invasion occurred at 4:03 a.m. on Saturday on the 4800 block of Longshore Ave. A 33-year-old man told police he was outside when five gunmen approached him and forced him to enter his home.
The suspects were black, wore dark clothing with hoods and masks and carried semi-automatic handguns. They forced the victim to the floor while they searched the house. One of the gunmen struck the victim in the head and threatened to kill him.
The intruders made off with $600 cash, along with a watch, ring, bracelet, credit cards and the victim’s ID.
The victim told police that he didn’t get a good look at the crooks and he didn’t know why they targeted him.
Call Northeast Detectives at 215–686–3153 to report information about any of the cases. ••
