Philadelphia Archives - The Philly Files

July 2, 2020

Philly officer, 2 relatives charged with robbing 15 gamblers

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia police officer is under arrest, accused of taking part “in the robbery and assault of multiple victims at a North…

June 22, 2020

Video: 2 wanted after robbing, carjacking man who was parking his car

PORT RICHMOND — A man parking his car became the victim of an armed robbery and carjacking when two men stopped their car by…

June 15, 2020

Solving puzzles boosts mental health

Fears of contracting Coronavirus coupled with strict shelter-at-home measures are causing all of us to be stressed. Studies show adults and children have elevated…

May 22, 2020

Swastika spray-painting suspect identified, arrest warrant out

CENTER CITY — Philadelphia police have announced who they’re looking for after officers responded to reports of vandalism along four blocks of Market Street….

May 21, 2020

ATV, dirt bike crackdown nabs dozens of riders, vehicles

PHILADELPHIA — ATVs and dirt bikes are illegal in Philadelphia, and police are taking action against people riding them during warmer weather or with…

May 17, 2020

Pa. primary election deadlines approaching, including vote-by-mail

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s primary election will be held two weeks from Tuesday, but you only have until this Monday to register if you…

May 7, 2020

$6.8 million in Pew grants to help 38 Philadelphia-area nonprofits overcome COVID-19 emergency

PHILADELPHIA — Millions of dollars are going to help dozens of area health and human service organizations. The Pew Charitable Trusts announced it’s going…

March 13, 2020

City announces further restrictions on public gathering

PHILADELPHIA — This news release on Philadelphia’s response to Coronavirus was dated Thursday but published Friday. Here it is in its entirety, almost verbatim,…

January 8, 2020

Weather roller coaster: Snow squall videos and soon, possibly a record high

PHILADELPHIA — Warmer weather had us expecting no snow for as many as three weeks, despite the calendar showing January, but Mother Nature can…

January 8, 2020

Feds: 2 Phila. men stalked delivery company in series of violent pharmaceutical van robberies

PHILADELPHIA — Two Philadelphia men face various federal charges “for a series of violent robberies across the Delaware Valley over a four month period…

January 7, 2020

Video: Man shot in stomach around dinnertime on Christmas

NORTH PHILADELPHIA — This whole crime consisted of five gunshots and Philadelphia police released all 13 seconds of surveillance video, in hopes it’ll help…

January 6, 2020

Video: Suspect wanted for beating man to death

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help identifying the suspect in the murder of a 39-year-old man by blunt force trauma. The…

January 6, 2020

Reward offered in last Philadelphia bank robbery of 2019

CENTER CITY — The FBI/PPD Violent Crimes Task Force is offering a reward for information that’ll help catch the man who robbed a Center…

January 6, 2020

Philadelphia hires ‘Outlaw’ as next police commissioner

PHILADELPHIA — The next commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department will be coming from Oregon. Mayor Jim Kenney (D) appointed Chief Danielle Outlaw of…

December 26, 2019

Man who exploited printer company’s rewards system for almost $300K going to prison

PHILADELPHIA — A man who worked in town for a company that bought office printers has been sentenced to more than a year in…

December 22, 2019

Video: Man wanted for armed robbery and more to his 32-year-old victim

FELTONVILLE — A 32-year-old woman withdrawing money from an ATM, just days ago, didn’t just get held up by a man with a handgun….

December 22, 2019

Holiday help: Get a reward if your tip leads to a bank robber’s arrest

JUNIATA PARK — ‘Tis the season for gifts and charitable donations, but also for crimes including bank robberies and requests for help catching the…

December 19, 2019

Video: Philadelphia’s young, violent and wanted

OLD CITY — There was trouble inside and outside an Old City store when several of Philadelphia’s youngest turned into some of the city’s…

December 17, 2019

Philadelphia man pleads guilty to 8 counts of robbery

Prosecutors: He targeted 4 banks, 2 convenience stores, a supermarket and a dollar store. PHILADELPHIA — Gerald Griffith pleaded guilty in federal court to…

December 15, 2019

2nd try in elderly woman’s Christmas Eve murder gets 1st degree conviction

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — The man who shot an 81-year-old woman to death in her corner store on Christmas Eve morning, back in 2016, has been…

December 15, 2019

Police sergeant charged with tampering, assault in June arrest

PHILADELPHIA — Yet another member of the Philadelphia police force is in trouble with the law. The department reports last Wednesday, Dec. 11, Sgt….

December 15, 2019

Dad charged after 18-year-old son shoots, kills twin brother

Charges against twin who fired deadly shot dropped. OVERBROOK — A father is now charged with the shooting death of his 18-year-old son, rather…

December 14, 2019

Local white supremacist pleads guilty to lying to FBI

PHILADELPHIA — A man who worked for a federal contractor at the Philadelphia Navy Yard pleaded guilty in federal court to “charges of making…

December 14, 2019

Bank robbery suspect wanted by police, FBI

CENTER CITY — The FBI/Philadelphia Police Violent Crimes Task Force is asking for help identifying and finding the man who robbed a PNC Bank…

December 14, 2019

Found: ‘Engangered’ woman, 55, not seen in 9 days

UPDATE — Tuesday morning, Dec. 17, police announced Barbara Kearse had been located. WEST PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding “missing…

December 1, 2019

Video: 3 teens wanted for vicious attack on fast-food worker

NICETOWN-TIOGA — A McDonald’s worker became the victim of an aggravated assault when three teenagers took out their rage on her. Philadelphia police went…

November 30, 2019

Video: Armed robber wanted after holding grocery clerk at gunpoint

WEST PHILADELPHIA — A grocery store clerk got quite a scare when an armed robber struck earlier this month, and Philadelphia police want help…

November 30, 2019

Wounded police officer treated and released, suspect critical and charged

WISSINOMING — The suspect in last week’s shooting of Philadelphia police officer Donald Revill has been identified as 54-year-old Walter Farrell from Frankford, and…

November 29, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ man, 53, with schizophrenia

UPDATE — Monday morning, Dec. 2, police announced Rodney Austin had returned home. POINT BREEZE — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

November 29, 2019

Video: Woman wanted for checking out of grocery store with someone else’s phone

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — This isn’t exactly shoplifting because the item taken didn’t belong to the store, but Philadelphia police are calling it theft. They…

November 21, 2019

Homicide detective, SEPTA employee relative arrested

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia Police Department homicide detective is in trouble with the law, and so is a relarive who works for SEPTA. The…

November 21, 2019

Narcotics officer arrested after statements against 2 people ‘disproven by video evidence’

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia Police Department narcotics officer is in trouble with the law. The department reports Officer Charles Myers was arrested at about…

November 19, 2019

Man charged in bar fight, other suspects wanted

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — A man playing a poker machine at a South Philadelphia bar “was punched without provocation, and suffered facial injuries and a chipped…

November 19, 2019

Suspect in 2 teen sexual assaults arrested

OXFORD CIRCLE — A man wanted for sexually assaulting two teenagers who’d gotten off the same bus at the same stop, days apart, is…

November 19, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ man, 24, last seen in South Philadelphia

UPDATE — Monday morning, Dec. 2, police announced Deon Milton had returned home. SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a missing 24-year-old…

November 19, 2019

Woman charged with 4-year-old girl’s murder

PHILADELPHIA — The woman who was supposed to be watching a four-year-old girl was instead arrested and charged with her murder. The District Attorney’s…

November 13, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ 17-year-old with bipolar disorder

UPDATE — Monday morning, Nov. 18, police announced Ariana Beauvais had returned home. It is the policy of ThePhillyFiles to take down pictures of…

November 13, 2019

Search on for 2 massage parlor armed robbery suspects

CENTER CITY — Philadelphia police want to catch two men who robbed a massage parlor at gunpoint. They say it happened last Tuesday, Nov….

November 12, 2019

Video: Burglars break deli door, escape almost empty-handed

GAYBORHOOD — Two men tried to take money from a deli, early Veterans Day morning, and were probably very disappointed in what they were…

November 12, 2019

Car could lead to gunman who shot 10-year-old boy

FRANKFORD — An uncle is charged in connection with last week’s shooting of a 10-year-old boy, but authorities want to catch whoever actually pulled…

November 12, 2019

Video: Robber escapes after putting gun to 7-Eleven clerk’s head

EAST OAK LANE — A convenience store worker may have gotten the scare of his life when a robber walked into his 7-Eleven and…

November 11, 2019

Video: 5 teens wanted for strong armed robbery against 2 women

GAYBORHOOD — Two young women walking in the Gayborhood were assaulted by a group of five teenagers, who are still on the loose. Philadelphia…

November 11, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ man, 61, with schizophrenia

UPDATE — Tuesday morning, Nov. 12, police announced Harry Canty has been located. WEST PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

November 6, 2019

Video from inside victim’s home released to help catch killer

RHAWNHURST — Philadelphia police released video in hopes of catching the person who killed a man in his home, late Monday night, Nov. 4….

November 6, 2019

Police: 3 boys wanted for vandalizing Fairmount Park’s Ormiston Mansion

FAIRMOUNT PARK — Philadelphia police want to catch three underage boys they report “were caught on video vandalizing the Ormiston Mansion located at 2000…

November 6, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ man ‘reported to suffer from schizophrenia and other conditions’

UPDATE — Monday morning, Jan. 27, police announced Troy Johnson has been located. OVERBROOK — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a missing…

November 5, 2019

Video: Man caught on camera lurking inside, stealing from local school

NORTH PHILADELPHIA — People working at a local school should’ve learned a lesson when a man got in after-hours “through an unlocked door,” according…

November 5, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ woman ‘reported to suffer from numerous mental and other conditions’

UPDATE — Thursday morning, Feb. 20, 2020, police announced Satira Long had returned home. NICETOWN-TIOGA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

November 4, 2019

Video: 4 suspects wanted after armed robbery

NORTH PHILADELPHIA — A robbery victim is out more than $500 after he was walking at night, and Philadelphia police say two robbers “ran…

October 31, 2019

Man found naked, drinking charged with shooting his family of 4 to death

WEST PHILADELPHIA — A wellness check led to Philadelphia police finding a family of four murdered in their home. Now, the “naked male later…

October 31, 2019

Suspect in 2 sexual assaults against teens identified, wanted

OXFORD CIRCLE — The Philadelphia police Special Victims Unit has identified a suspect after two teenagers reported being sexually assaulted under similar circumstances, earlier…

October 29, 2019

Cops mean candy on Halloween night!

PHILADELPHIA — Kids of all ages may want to keep an extra eye out while trick-or-treating on Thursday night, always for safety but especially…

October 29, 2019

Man charged with shooting infant believed connected to two-year-old’s killing

HUNTING PARK — An 11-month-old boy may not be able to recover after being shot while he was a passenger in a car. Philadelphia…

October 25, 2019

Shootings, including killing of 2-year-old girl, connected; 2nd suspect charged

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police say the men arrested for murder, nine counts of attempted murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and Violation…

October 24, 2019

Police chief inspector charged with indecent assault against other officers

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia police chief inspector, just two levels down from commissioner, is facing serious criminal charges and his victims were allegedly younger…

October 24, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ man suffering from dementia

UPDATE — Tuesday morning, Nov. 12, police announced Shannon McGeth has been located. SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

October 23, 2019

1st suspect in 2-year-old girl’s killing charged, 2nd suspect caught

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police have confirmed “a second male suspect is in custody” after Sunday’s deadly shooting of a two-year-old girl inside her Kensington…

October 23, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ man suffering from seizures, dementia

UPDATE — Tuesday morning, Dec. 17, police announced Marvin E. Smith had returned home. NORTH PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding…

October 22, 2019

Arrest in weekend shooting that killed two-year-old girl

CHESTER, Pa. — A “male suspect” is in custody after Sunday afternoon’s triple shooting into a home that killed a two-year-old girl. Late Tuesday…

October 22, 2019

Video: Man wanted after 2 teens sexually assaulted under similar circumstances

OXFORD CIRCLE — Two teenagers, 18 and 16 years old, got off a SEPTA bus at the same spot, five days apart. They told…

October 21, 2019

Video: Suspects wanted for armed robbery of man unloading groceries

FISHTOWN — A man who went grocery shopping late at night got quite a nightmare after he parked near his home. The victim told…

October 20, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ woman with sight, mental issues

UPDATE — Wednesday morning, Oct. 23, police announced Lenora Patterson has been located. WEST PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

October 20, 2019

Video: Mail thief suspect wanted after being caught in the act

SOUTHWEST CENTER CITY — Nobody can blame the Postal Service for this, and watching the video could convince many people without locks on their…

October 18, 2019

Have you really been reading lately?

PHILADELPHIA — To those of you eager to read more news on ThePhillyFiles.com, I’m temporarily sorry. No, I haven’t been sitting around, doing nothing….

October 17, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ man with schizophrenia

UPDATE — Thursday morning, Nov. 7, police announced Osiris Miller has returned home. SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

October 17, 2019

Police officer arrested, suspended for stalking, harassment

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Police Department announced it has arrested one of its own officers. Wednesday, the Internal Affairs Division took Police Officer Robert…

October 11, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ man reportedly suffering from dementia

UPDATE — Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, police announced Robert Abdullah has returned home. WEST OAK LANE — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding…

October 11, 2019

Columbus Day Weekend events mean Philadelphia fun, street closures

You may want to bookmark this page since some of the events last into November PHILADELPHIA — Many Philadelphians are looking forward to a…

October 11, 2019

Students at schools closed due to asbestos will go to new schools

Benjamin Franklin High will start this Monday, and Science Leadership Academy should be ready the following Monday SPRING GARDEN — Students from the two…

October 10, 2019

Missing: ‘Endangered’ woman with dementia, Alzheimer’s, mental impairment

JUNIATA PARK — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a 61-year-old woman they consider “endangered” for several reasons. Cordora Lillian was last seen…

October 8, 2019

Video: Men punch woman, 66, knock her to the ground

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — Two men who committed a vicious crime against an older woman at a bus stop are on the loose, and Philadelphia…

October 7, 2019

Police release video of wanted convenience store robber

CRESCENTVILLE — A robber armed with a handgun walked into a 7-Eleven, placed the weapon to the employee’s side and demanded money from the…

October 6, 2019

Reward offered for info leading to Center City bank robber’s capture

CENTER CITY — Somebody robbed a Center City bank on a busy street during rush hour and the FBI/PPD Violent Crimes Task Force is…

October 6, 2019

Register now to vote in next month’s General Election

PHILADELPHIA — This year’s citywide General Election is less than a month away — Tuesday, Nov. 5 — and the deadline to register to…

October 6, 2019

Home invasion, robbery on one of Center City’s quietest streets

CENTER CITY — A woman living in the heart of Center City on a little-known block got quite a scare when Philadelphia police say…

October 5, 2019

Last day to adopt a 4-legged friend for free as part of #ACCTtotheFuture

FELTONVILLE — Looking to adopt a new four-legged best friend? Sunday, Oct. 6, will be the last day to do so for free! ACCT Philly,…

October 5, 2019

Asbestos means no classes until at least Thursday at 2 Philadelphia schools

SPRING GARDEN — One construction issue at Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin High School and Science Leadership Academy delayed the start of the school year, and…

October 5, 2019

Video: Employees terrorized, tied up in armed robbery

OLNEY — Three unidentified men caused terror at a Philadelphia business, at about midday Thursday. Police say the trio entered Universal Graphics, at 5927 N. 5th Street…

October 4, 2019

Found: Older man diagnosed with schizophrenia, other conditions

UPDATE — Monday morning, Nov. 25, police announced Luis Rodriguez has returned home. GERMANTOWN — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a missing…

October 4, 2019

Video: Indecent exposure on Johnson Street

Police say the suspect also got into, burglarized the victim’s home EAST GERMANTOWN — A woman got quite a scare when she looked through…

October 3, 2019

Found: 13-year-old autistic girl with ADHD

UPDATE — Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, police announced Tymirah Muchison has returned home. It is the policy of ThePhillyFiles to take down pictures of…

October 2, 2019

Another 2 days off at 2 Philadelphia schools with asbestos problem

UPDATE — Wednesday, it was decided there will be no classes for the rest of the week for students at Ben Franklin High School…

October 2, 2019

Heat expected to beat record, change Philadelphia October weather history

PHILADELPHIA — The region is dealing with “unseasonably hot temperatures” that will be “approaching or exceeding daily records over much of the area,” according…

October 2, 2019

Found: Older man with schizophrenia, missing a finger

CENTER CITY — Wednesday morning, Philadelphia police announced a missing older man they called “endangered” has been found. James Scott, 69, had last been…

October 1, 2019

Video: Man tried several abductions, sexual assaults in 90 minutes

FAIRMOUNT — Philadelphia police want to catch a man who spent a recent Sunday morning violently trying to kidnap and sexually assault women. In…

September 30, 2019

Video: Suspects steal money drawer out of bar’s cash register

PORT RICHMOND — Police are asking for help identifying the suspects seen on video stealing from a Philadelphia bar. They say early Wednesday, Sept….

September 24, 2019

Man accused of ripping charity box off church wall under arrest

HOLMESBURG — Philadelphia police announced they caught the man seen on surveillance stealing from a church. The theft happened at St. Dominic’s Church at…

September 24, 2019

Found: 49-year-old ‘endangered’ man

UPDATE — Thursday morning, Sept. 26, police announced Montez Hewlett has been located. NORTH PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

Flag DaySunday, June 14, 2020

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. It stated: "The flag of the 13 United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. In 1916, Pres. Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing Flag Day, and in 1949, an Act of Congress established National Flag Day. The U.S. Army also celebrates its birthday on this date; Congress adopted "the American continental army" on June 14, 1775.