Online videos of an assault and robbery inside a Franklin Mills supermarket helped police learn the identities of three suspects and arrest them last week.
One of the videos was surveillance footage of the Sept. 29 attack on a 47-year-old man at the Pathmark on Franklin Mills Boulevard. A second, which was posted to YouTube, was taken by a young woman who was with the three Feltonville teens who allegedly beat and then robbed the victim, said Cpl. Frank Domizio, a police department spokesman.
The online postings prompted tips to police, Domizio said, leading to the Oct. 3 arrests of Kevin Tavarez, 17, of the 200 block of East Eleanor St.; Tomas Eanes, 18, of the 200 block of East Eleanor St.; and Jose Ruiz, 17, of the 400 block of East Rockland St. All have been charged with aggravated assault, robbery and related offenses, police said.
Tavarez and Ruiz are charged as adults, said District Attorney’s spokeswoman Tasha Jamerson.
The attack occurred at 9:55 p.m. Sept. 29 when the victim, who was shopping in the market, was approached by the three teens, police said.
On surveillance footage, police said, one of the boys can be seen hitting the victim with a glass bottle. When the victim fell to floor, the other teens began to kick and punch him. One of the boys took $100 from the victim, and they all fled the store in a four-door Chevrolet Aveo, police said.
Domizio said the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening. He said the young woman who was with the three teens is a witness.
To view the surveillance video, visit the Philadelphia Police YouTube Channel or visit http://phillypolice.com/news.
