3 females caught on video brutally beating, stealing from victims on Philly street; suspects still at large, police say



Three females were caught on video brutally beating and stealing from victims on a Philadelphia street, police said.

The Philadelphia Police Department's Central Detective Division is seeking the public’s help in identifying the individuals responsible for the attacks, and police provided video and still images showing the suspects.

'Conceal carry. A 9 mm would have resolved this issue.'

Police didn't specify the number of victims in the brutal attacks, but WTXF-TV reported that there were two victims.

The beatdowns occurred around 2:15 a.m. April 18; police posted the notice describing the attacks earlier this month.

Police said the three culprits assaulted the victims along the 1300 block of Chestnut Street. Video shows one attack occurring on the sidewalk against the outside wall of a building; the other attack occurs on the street next to a parked car. The victims are repeatedly kicked and punched while on the ground.

Police said the victims' bags were stolen, and their credit cards were later used fraudulently.

Video shows the street was crowded with pedestrians, but it appears only one person attempted to help the victims.

The victims were hospitalized with significant face and head injuries, police said.

Police offered the following descriptions of the suspects:

  • Suspect #1: Black female, 25 to 30 years old, 5’5″ to 5’7″, 150 pounds, medium build
  • Suspect #2: Black female, 25 to 30 years old, 5’2″ to 5’4″, 130 pounds, medium build, tattoo on right side chest
  • Suspect #3: Black female, 25 to 30 years old, 5’5″, 175 pounds, heavy build

RELATED: Penn State senior shot dead just yards from his family's South Philly home — after thugs apparently stole his phone

Police said if you see the suspects, do not approach — instead call 911 immediately.

To submit a tip by telephone, dial 215-686-TIPS (8477), police said. Tipsters also can use this electronic form to submit a tip anonymously, police said. All tips will be confidential, officials added.

Those with any information about this crime or these suspects also can contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093 or 3094, police said.

More than 600 comments hit WXTF's Facebook post about the beatings, and commenters did not hold back. The following are but a few reactions:

  • "Caught on camera! It’s just a matter of time before they are caught! Good for them!" one commenter exclaimed.
  • "When caught, make an example of them!!" another user declared.
  • "They’re good girls," another commenter wrote sarcastically.
  • "Conceal carry," another user suggested. "A 9 mm would have resolved this issue."

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Penn State senior shot dead just yards from his family's South Philly home — after thugs apparently stole his phone



Philadelphia police have released surveillance video of suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of a Penn State student in South Philadelphia, WPVI-TV reported.

Billy Schmidt, 22, was shot dead early Saturday morning in the 1900 block of Durfor Street, the station said.

'He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul, never bothered anyone, and for him to get shot like that is a travesty.'

Investigators said video released Wednesday shows suspects walking in the area of 20th Street from Ritner Street to Jackson Street before encountering Schmidt, WPVI said.

The suspects also allegedly were seen fleeing on foot in the area of 22nd and Porter streets after the shots were fired, the station said.

Schmidt, a Penn State senior, was shot just yards from his family's home around 1:30 a.m., WPVI reported.

Family members told the station Schmidt was returning from a nearby bar where he was watching the NBA Finals with friends.

"He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul, never bothered anyone, and for him to get shot like that is a travesty," Bill Schmidt, the victim's father, told WPVI.

More from the station:

Surveillance video captured by nearby cameras appears to show the moments leading up to the shooting. In one video, a man can be seen throwing a cell phone. Seconds later, another man runs around a corner with Schmidt chasing him. The gunman then turns around and shoots Schmidt in the chest.

Bill Schmidt said he later found his son's phone under a car and turned it over to police.

"I'm shocked he chased them after they took his phone," the elder Schmidt said, according to WPVI. "From what we're told, another person came out and shot him."

Lifelong friends of Schmidt gathered at a memorial in South Philadelphia on Wednesday evening, the station said.

"Leaning on each other is all we did growing up, and that's what we'll continue to do," Jaden Kelly of South Philadelphia told WPVI.

"I hope they find them. I want [them] in jail. That's what I want. They don't deserve to get to walk away from what they did," Matthew Segal of South Philadelphia also told the station.

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Friends told WPVI they didn't learn of Schmidt's death until the next day; now they're cherishing the moments they had with him Friday night into Saturday morning.

"The way he always said goodbye. It was a big hug and 'I love you,' and I'm happy we got to say that one last time," Gino Russo of South Philadelphia recalled to the station.

A vigil was set for Thursday night, WPVI said.

"They are animals for doing that to him," the victim's sister said, according to a Fox News video.

In addition, police are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, WPVI said, adding that those with information are asked to call 215-686-TIPS.

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Dismembered remains of double amputee found in suitcase — Lyft driver's tip leads cops to arrest caretaker and 3 relatives



An attentive Lyft driver called Philadelphia police after seeing a gray suitcase on the news that belonged to a woman rider who apologized for the smell of the dirty wet clothing inside.

Investigators now say 53-year-old Liza Ridley was transporting the remains of Vincent Good in order to dump them off so she could cash in on his Social Security checks.

He said she carried a gray suitcase and left a fluid stain on the floor of his car.

Good's family said he was funny and kind and would give nicknames to everyone he met.

Prosecutors say that Ridley admitted to shooting Good in the head after the Lyft driver's tip led them to her door.

Good's remains were found in the suitcase dumped at East Hilton Street in Kensington on May 22.

A person searching for scrap metal first noticed the smell emitting from the suitcase, according to a statement from the Philadelphia District Attorney's office. Police also found remains in two industrial-size trash bags after investigating.

Police sought help from the public and released a photo of the gray suitcase.

A Lyft driver then contacted the police to tell them about the strange interaction she had with a woman transporting a suitcase with a strong foul odor on May 21. She said the woman carried a gray suitcase and left a fluid stain on the floor of her car.

She also said that she believed she had driven the woman to Kensington.

Astonishingly, she gave police a photograph of the woman.

"That Lyft driver had the wisdom to take a photograph of that passenger based on the suspicious indications that the Lyft driver was observing," District Attorney Larry Krasner said.

Police were able to identify the woman as Liza Ridley, a registered home health aide for Exceptional Heart Home Care Services. She had been hired to care for Good and was also his girlfriend.

Investigators say Ridley had her 55-year-old sister Bernadette Ridley, her 32-year-old daughter Liza Robinson, and Liza's 33-year-old boyfriend Gnaeus Daniels helped clean up the crime scene and disposed of evidence. Bernadette Ridley is also accused of helping dismember Good's body.

The group is charged with a slew of crimes.

Liza Ridley is charged with murder and abuse of a corpse, and her sister is charged with abuse of a corpse. All four suspects are charged with tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice, as well as conspiracy charges related to both crimes.

RELATED: Illegal alien dismembered man who overdosed and flushed his organs in order to avoid deportation, police say

Police said a forensic anthropologist will determine what date Good was killed and how he was dismembered. They believe the motivation for the alleged murder was the theft of Good's Social Security checks.

"This case was quickly solved largely thanks to two Good Samaritan Philadelphians who came forward as crucial witnesses and shared vital information with law enforcement," Krasner said.

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House Candidate Backed by AOC, Van Hollen Hails Cop-Killer Mumia Abu-Jamal as Black Freedom Fighter and Political Prisoner

A Pennsylvania House candidate endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D., Md.), and other leading far-left figures has hailed notorious cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal as one of several "Black freedom fighters" and "elderly political prisoners" and called for his release from prison.

The post House Candidate Backed by AOC, Van Hollen Hails Cop-Killer Mumia Abu-Jamal as Black Freedom Fighter and Political Prisoner appeared first on .

Video: Thug with 'no heart' spits on woman in Philly store, repeatedly punches her in face, knocks her to the floor



Philadelphia police said a male confronted a woman in a store last month, spit on her, physically attacked her, and caused injuries to her — and the brutal beatdown was recorded on surveillance video.

Police said the assault took place around 11 p.m. April 22 in the 4000 block of Market Street in the University City neighborhood.

'He has no heart, no heart.'

Police said after the confrontation, the argument between the two escalated, and the male spit on the woman and repeatedly punched her in the face before knocking her to the floor of the store.

Police said the woman suffered several injuries due to the attack.

The male left the store in an unknown direction, police said.

RELATED: Gang of juvenile males chase college student into dorm, physically attack victim, go on rampage. It all happens around 3 a.m.

"Oh no, my God, oh, I'm so hurt to see it," Linda Lofton of West Philadelphia said in an interview with WXTF-TV. "He has no heart, no heart, and everyone has a mother [or a] sister [or an] aunt. ... Oh, it's horrible."

Rasheedah of South Philadelphia added to the station, "Why these men gotta attack women? There's other ways to resolve conflict. It's just so sad to see."

Police added to WXTF that the victim has been connected with victim assistance and advocacy services.

"I'm quite sure she's traumatized by what happened, so hopefully she'll get the help that she needs," Rasheedah added to the station.

Police said if you see the suspect, do not approach — instead call 911 immediately. To submit a tip via telephone, dial 215-686-TIPS (8477). Police said community members can use this electronic form to submit tips anonymously and that all tips will be confidential.

Police also said those with any information about this crime or suspect can contact the Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183/3184.

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Female breaks window of Philly home, tries to enter. Armed homeowner warns her to stop, but she fails to listen.



A female broke the window of a Philadelphia home Sunday afternoon and tried to enter the residence, police told WCAU-TV.

The armed homeowner warned her to stop, but the station said she continued to try to break in.

'I guess he had to do what he had to do to protect his family. There was a stranger. He's a good neighbor. He's very good.'

The homeowner ended up shooting the female multiple times, and she died, police told WCAU, adding that the incident is being treated as a possible act of self-defense.

The homeowner stayed on the scene, tried to render aid before medics arrived, and is cooperating with investigators, the station said.

"At some point, the occupants of the home did make themselves known that they were inside, and this person ... based on the information we have, refused to stop," Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace told WCAU.

Pace added to the station that "it appears that this is a case of a person defending oneself inside their own home. Pace added to WPVI-TV that the person who fired the fatal shots is licensed to carry, and no arrests have been made.

RELATED: Armed crooks allegedly enter home in middle of night, but homeowner is prepared — and opens fire

Officers initially responded to reports of gunfire in the 2300 block of North Cleveland Street around 1:13 p.m., WCAU said.

Officers at the scene found an adult female suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police told the station. WXTF-TV said officers found the female inside the home.

She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1:49 p.m., WCAU reported.

The deceased female was listed as a Jane Doe, Pace told WCAU, which noted that it's unclear why she was attempting to break into the residence.

A neighbor named Shawnee told WCAU that the homeowner who fired his gun is a good family man: "I guess he had to do what he had to do to protect his family. There was a stranger. He's a good neighbor. He's very good.

Those with information about the incident are urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or anonymously online, WCAU noted.

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Philadelphia Museum Marks America’s 250th By Dwelling on Its Faults

The Philadelphia Museum of Art—in the city where the Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed—is marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of America with an exhibit that harps on our country’s flaws so obsessively that the wall labels read more like an indictment than a celebration.

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Gang of juvenile males chase college student into dorm, physically attack victim, go on rampage. It all happens around 3 a.m.



A gang of juvenile males chased a Temple University student into a dorm, physically attacked the victim, and went on a rampage that included property damage — and it all took place around 3 a.m. Sunday.

The assault occurred inside the Morgan Hall South dorm at Broad and Oxford Streets in North Philadelphia, WPVI-TV reported.

'We're here for the safety of our residents and our students. So, when anybody is victimized, it's concerning to us. We take it very seriously.'

Temple University police released surveillance photos showing at least nine males in connection with the assault, the station said.

Police told WPVI the victim suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment; officers are still looking into what led up to the attack.

Investigators told the station in a separate story that cellphone video shows suspects damaging property inside the dorm lobby; one individual is seen smashing a monitor at a security desk.

RELATED: 6 thugs just 12 to 14 years old accused of beating up, robbing mentally disabled man riding his bike on Easter night

WPVI spoke with a student who said he used to live in the residence hall and received a campus alert about the attack.

"It puts the threat actually into perspective because, especially knowing as a college student your main priority is education, not really safety, but this happening is a little bit more in the forefront," sophomore Emanuel Turner told WPVI.

Officials added to the station that they're working with Philadelphia police and school district safety officials to identify those involved in the attack.

RELATED: Gang of teens caught on video beating up, robbing victim in shopping mall; similar attack happened at same mall last month

Temple Police Deputy Chief Gaetano Sava told WPVI that the incident is "concerning. Whenever our residents, I mean, we're here for the safety of our residents and our students. So, when anybody is victimized, it's concerning to us. We take it very seriously."

Campus police said Temple and Philadelphia Police are enhancing patrols, and officials urge those with information about the incident to contact the PPD tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or Central Detectives at 215-686-3093. You also can contact Temple’s Investigations Unit at 215-204-6200 or Temple Police at 215-204-1234.

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MLB umpire chases down, fights teen thug who allegedly stole his phone on Philly street: Police sources



A Major League Baseball umpire chased down and fought a teenager who allegedly stole his phone on a Philadelphia street earlier this month, KYW-TV reported, citing police sources.

Multiple law enforcement sources identified the umpire as Brock Ballou, who has been an MLB umpire since 2022, the station said.

'They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury. The male continued his assault, violently punching him.'

Police released surveillance video of the suspect, KYW noted. Police said the suspect is a teenage male with brown complexion wearing a light blue sweatshirt and black pants.

Police said the suspect approached Ballou from behind in the 1600 block of Walnut Street in the downtown section of the city around 7 p.m. April 9, stole Ballou's phone while the umpire was looking at directions, and then ran off, the station reported.

"The suspect approached the male and snatched his cell phone out of his hands," Capt. Jason Smith told KYW. "The victim went chasing after the male, at which time they got involved in a physical altercation at 16th and Walnut."

Investigators told the station that when Ballou tried to take his phone back, the suspect punched him several times in the head. KYW said surveillance video it reviewed shows the suspect repeatedly punching Ballou.

"They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury," Smith added to the station. "The male continued his assault, violently punching him."

The suspect then ran away without the phone, which was returned to Ballou later by someone on the street, police told KYW.

RELATED: Coach for 10-year-old baseball players shoves umpire, knocks him to the ground; injured ump says he's pressing charges

Ballou's injuries were not serious, police added to the station.

Ballou was in Philadelphia to work the Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks series last weekend, KYW said, adding that Ballou umpired at first base the night after the incident and was behind home plate two days later.

KYW said MLB declined to comment.

In addition, police told the station the same suspect about a half-hour previously had entered a 7-Eleven just a few blocks away in the 1200 block of Chestnut Street and allegedly stole several items. Police told KYW that an employee confronted the suspect, after which the suspect punched the employee multiple times before the suspect fled the store.

Police are asking those with information about the crimes to contact the department's central detective division at 215-686-3093/3094, the station said.

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What Did He Know? Dr Jill Biden’s Secret Service Escort Suffers ‘Accidental’ Gunshot Wound

A Secret Service agent escorting Dr. Jill Biden, former acting president of the United States, reportedly "shot himself" in the leg Friday morning at the Philadelphia airport. The incident raises some serious questions about what the agent—who was taken to the hospital in stable condition—might have known about the Biden family and their myriad controversies.

The post What Did He Know? Dr Jill Biden’s Secret Service Escort Suffers ‘Accidental’ Gunshot Wound appeared first on .