Investigators have found the car used in a violent robbery — clips of which have gone viral — that occurred early Sunday morning in Center City.
Three armed men, one of whom was carrying an “AR-15-style rifle,” held three other men, all between the ages of 27 and 36, at gunpoint at around 3 a.m. Aug 23 on the 1500 block of Locust Street, police said. One of the victims was pistol-whipped and hospitalized following the incident, according to authorities.
“We don’t at this time have any information on any similar robberies that match this,” PPD Captain Anthony Ganard told reporters Monday afternoon. “We do not know whether or not these people were targeted.”
A video posted on Instagram by wttwpodcast shows the suspects robbing one of the victims before running to a waiting car.
Ganard said detectives recovered what they believe to be that vehicle at around 1 a.m Monday. He declined to disclose the location, though he said the car was found within city limits. The Honda Accord had been stolen Aug. 19 in Cheltenham Township, Garnard added.
He said the car was in and around the 1500 block of Locust for about three hours prior to the robbery. The three victims were hanging out on the sidewalk talking and seem to know one another, according to Garnard.
After the gunmen hopped out of the vehicle, they forced one of the victims to the ground and struck another with a handgun, he said. They ended up stealing cellphones, cash, wallets and jewelry, the PPD stated.
Law enforcement officials believe a fourth suspect remained behind the wheel of the Honda and fled eastbound on Locust when the perpetrators got back inside. The trio who held up the victims were all wearing black clothing, masks and gloves.
Anyone with information is asked to call or text the police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
MORE: Video of 2 dead, missing women found in Olney home, police say
