Is the Phillie Phanatic authorized to arrest ATV key thieves?
The beloved Phillies mascot gave an assist to Philadelphia police Wednesday when an officer gave him handcuffs to put on Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez. The star pitcher had grabbed the Phanatic’s keys before the Phillies win.
"For anyone who asks - yes, this was a legal arrest," joked the Philadelphia Police Department on its Facebook feed. "Philadelphia icon and national - nay - WORLD treasure, The Phillie Phanatic, was deputized before the start of today's game. Thanks, Philadelphia Phillies - we greatly appreciate the assist!"
The Phanatic appeared to let Fernandez go with just a warning after leading the Marlin into his dugout. Police commented on Facebook on why the Phanatic may have been distracted from pressing charges.
"We're waiting for him to finish his PARS report. He keeps getting sidetracked by an insatiable desire to rub the heads of our bald officers," the department wrote.
Fernandez got lucky, considering the Phanatic could have also nabbed him for assault after the mascot appeared to be pushed (or flopped) off his beloved four-wheeler while trying to keep hold of his keys.
Stealing the ATV's keys is something of a tradition for visiting teams, and Fernandez has stolen them before.
Camden County Prosecutors and Camden Police believe there is a man who may know something about a shooting on Pierce Street in Camden, New Jersey where 19-year-old Terron Phillips died.
The deadly shooting was among three shootings in just three hours in Camden early Wednesday.
Pennsbury High School is known for going all out during senior prom -- even earning the moniker 'Best Prom in America' from Readers Digest -- and this year organizers want to make it the best ever.
"Every year seems to get bigger," says Senior Prom Advisor, Tony Napoli. This year is no exception; the theme "Going Gatsby" was voted on by the senior class of the Bucks County, Pennsylvania school last year, and the committee has been planning and working ever since to make Saturday night (May 21) feel like a moment out of the 1920s.
"Everyone is going to feel the real glitz and glamour of the era," says Napoli. That feeling is going to come from outstanding decor that includes a massive chandelier that will be lit at midnight, as confetti cannons fill the air to make the party feel straight out of Gatsby's West Egg New Years bash.
As well as the legendary theme, Pennsbury is known for having music stars perform at the prom, which is held in the Fairless Hills' school's gym -- starting with John Mayer in 2004. This year, students get the chance to see Metro Station -- popular for their hit 'Shake It.'
The proms of the past have caught the eye of media outlets who want to see the experience firsthand. This year, photo sharing app Snapchat has reached out to the school and are giving students a chance to share the night on a live story.
Prom tickets cost students $100 each, and $200 per couple-- which Napoli says is much lower than other proms in the area. The budget comes from ticket sales, PTO donations and fundraisers.
Napoli expresses that the event could not be put together without the effort of everyone involved. "It's just a really positive atmosphere for everyone involved," said Napoli. Along with administrators and parents, more than 300 students have come to help make the necessary parts to make the night perfect.
Could a container tax be the compromise solution to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney's controversial "Soda Tax?"
Philadelphia City Council discussed Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown's plan to tax 15 cents on all beverages over 7 ounces with the exception of baby formula, milk and alcohol. The so-called "container tax" (similar to a Baltimore law) would put a lesser tax burden on consumers compared to the 3-cents-per-ounce sugary beverage tax.
The legislation defines a non-reusable beverage container as an "individual, separate, and sealed glass, metal, or plastic bottle, can, jar, or carton, not ordinarily collected from consumers for refilling, that contains a beverage of more than seven fluid ounces, and is intended for consumption off premises."
Reynolds Brown claims her plan could yield up to $64 million.
"We believe firmly that it's not actually cheaper," said Kenney spokeswoman Lauren Hitt. "It's more expensive because it affects more products."
Kenney's proposed sugary-beverage tax, aka "soda tax," would be used to help fund educational initiatives, rehab recreation centers and better-equip police and fire departments, according to Kenney.
"Not only would this tax raise less than half of what is needed to implement Pre-K, community schools and rebuild our parks, rec centers and libraries, but it also hurts working families," said Hitt. "Unlike the soda tax, consumers will be unable to avoid the wide range of products sold in containers, like bottled water, 100-percent juices and other essentials."
Earlier, Kenney told city council the soda tax would provide $400 million to be split among several initiatives.
The soda tax is part of Kenney's proposed $4.17-billion spending plan, which exceeds last year's budget by $100 million. It is now in the hands of the city council, which has opposed similar sugary drinks taxes twice before under Kenney's predecessor Michael Nutter.
"If the goal is to provide a sustainable proposal that will allow for Universal Pre-K for all , improvements and access to recreation centers for all and community schools for all, then the tax should impact all--from soda to Perrier,” Reynolds Brown said. "The legislation symbolizes shared sacrifice and does not focus on one specific group, product or industry, therefore, it is less regressive, more sustainable and equitable.
"From the very beginning of this process, my office has asked for alternatives," said Reynolds Brown. "This legislation fosters continued discussion, conversation and debate about how we fund these essential programs."
A jogger fought off her attacker in a South Jersey park Thursday morning.
NBC10 has learned that a woman in her 20s was jogging through the woods in Berlin Park along S Park Drive in Berlin around 9 a.m. when someone attacked her from behind.
The woman managed to get away from the attacker and lock herself in her car until help arrived, said Camden County Prosecutors. A source with knowledge of the investigation said the woman is expected to be OK.
Camden County and Berlin Borough investigators scoured the park looking for clues.
Investigators didn't immediately reveal any specific description of the suspect.
Anyone with information should contact Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Det. Matt Barber at (856) 225-5166 or Berlin Borough Police Det. Sgt. Mike Scheer at (856) 767-4700. Tips can also be emailed to prosecutors at ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org.
Burlington County has begun using Pulse Point, the app contacts CPR certified people who are close by in the event that someone goes into cardiac arrest. Matt DeLucia has the details on how the app and FREE CPR classes are helping saves lives.
The American Heart Association has everything you need to know about CPR and can help you find a training center near you.
Delaware authorities are tracking a black bear near the University of Delaware Thursday afternoon, police said.
The bear was spotted near Pomeroy Trail around Paper Mill Road and N. College and Cleveland Avenues in Newark, police said.
Police are investigating and warning pedestrians to stay clear of the animal if spotted.
There's been a series of bear sightings across the area over the past week. A black bear was seen swimming in Philadelphia's Wissahickon Creek last Friday.
This week, a bear was spotted in Chester County, Pennsylvania and also in New Castle County, Delaware -- near Thursday's sighting.
Authorities said all of the sightings could be of the same black bear who is traveling across the region looking for food ahead of the summer mating season.
Bear attacks are extremely rare but if you should come in contact with one, here are tips from the Pennsylvania Game commission:
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Tony Soto, a Philadelphia man who grabbed headlines last year when he recorded video of himself pretending to be a fire marshal during a police stop, is in police custody after allegedly impersonating a cop Wednesday and threatening an off-duty officer with a gun, NBC10 has learned.
This is not his first time being accused of impersonating a public servant. In 2008, court records show, he was convicted of that crime. And in last year's video, which went viral, he flashed badge police later said was a fake. He did not face criminal charges in that incident.
In the newest incident, Soto, 29, was outside his house in Oxford Circle shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday when he got into an argument with neighbors over a parking spot, according to police sources. During the confrontation, Soto began to tell the neighbors that he was a police officer, so the neighbors, sources said, went around the corner to get another neighbor, an off-duty Philadelphia Police officer, for help.
When the off-duty officer came to intervene, Soto allegedly threatened the officer with a gun, according to police sources. When the officer told Soto he was an off-duty cop himself and that Soto was under arrest, Soto ran away, sources said, but the off-duty officer caught up with him. Soto then punched the off-duty officer, sources said, brawling with him until the officer managed to control and hold him until backup got to the scene.
Soto was then arrested, sources said. He remained in police custody Thursday afternoon, facing potential charges including assault, illegal gun possession and impersonating a public servant. Sources said police were working on getting a search warrant for his home and continuing to investigate.
After last year's run-in with police in which he allegedly flashed a fake badge, the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 put out a warning to officers and civilians that the badge was fake, and that Soto is not a fire official.
"Please be aware of any interactions with Tony Soto," the FOP's post from March 30, 2015 read. "This individual is intent on baiting police officers and attempting to embarrass our members on video, which he then turns over to media outlets. This male also identifies himself as a fire official from Montgomery County and may flash a badge. This is untrue and Soto is a fraud."
Court records show that Soto has been arrested several times over the span of more than a decade on charges including illegal gun possession, assault and impersonating a public servant. He was convicted in 2008 of impersonating a public servant, according to court records, and sentenced to jail time the same year for theft, receiving stolen property and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.
Soto is a self-proclaimed civil rights activist on his Facebook page, which has more than 32,000 followers. His mother has been posting to his Facebook page since his arrest Wednesday night, saying that she is stranded inside the home she shares with him while police hold the house awaiting a search warrant.
NBC10 has reached out to Soto's mother for comment.
No official charges had been filed as of Thursday afternoon.
Four pro-Bernie Sanders rallies, with estimated attendance of 38,000 activists, have been approved for public demonstrations during the Democratic National Convention in July, the city said Thursday.
The four rallies, given permits Wednesday night, bring the total to five for approved rallies and marches during what is expected to be a bustling week of political activity in Center City and South Philadelphia. The convention officially runs July 25-28, but two of the five approved rallies and marches of more than 7,000 activists will be held July 24 -- the day more than 4,000 delegates arrive from across the country.
NBC10 first reported Wednesday that an anti-fracking, clean energy group called Food & Water Watch was the first to receive a city permit for public demonstration. A group organizer said more than 5,000 activists are expected July 24 at a march from City Hall to Independence Mall.
For the largest of the four pro-Sanders rallies approved, more than 30,000 people are expected to attend weeklong demonstrations called “March for Bernie at DNC,” which will be held at FDR Park in South Philadelphia. It’s within earshot of where conventioneers will gather at the Wells Fargo Center to nominate their party’s presidential nominee.
The rally has been approved for five straight days, starting July 24 and ending July 28. The permit from the city also allows activists to gather each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The “public assemblage,” as the city technically describes demonstrations, could evolve from rally into protest depending on what happens during delegate voting inside the convention.
The city declined to provide information about the individuals who applied for three of the four approved pro-Sanders rallies, including the FDR Park demonstration. A spokeswoman for Mayor Jim Kenney said the permit applicants’ information would only be released if NBC10 filed a Right-To-Know request. Even then, spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said the information about the applicants would take up to 30 days to be released.
Other permit applications, including a fourth pro-Sanders demonstration approved Wednesday, have “sponsoring organizations” identified.
A group called Black Men for Bernie has been approved to hold a “We the People Restoration Rally” at Thomas Paine Plaza across from City Hall on July 27-28. They will be allowed to gather from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The purpose of the rally is “to address economic inequality, human rights, poverty, criminal justice reform and lack of ownership,” according to the city’s permit approval document.
A message left for the group was not returned.
After five days missing, a Delaware County teen has been found safe at 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby.
Worry was growing by the hour as the search continued for 16-year-old Breanna Watson, a girl from Clifton Heights who went missing about 2 p.m. on Saturday after last being seen by the entrance to Diamond Street Park, according to police.
Authorities on Thursday said police from Delaware County, with the help of SEPTA police, were able to locate Watson.
Police said Breanna would be reunited with her family Thursday after a medical check-up and interview with police about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Police said they learned that Breanna was in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood for some of the days she spent missing. An investigation continued into exactly where the teen was, who she was with and how she ended up in Philadelphia.
A father from Chester County has been charged with sexually abusing three children in his care and prosecutors say there could be more victims.
Christopher Guiseppe, 33, of Caln Township, was charged Thursday with abusing a 6, 8 and 9-year-old, prosecutors said.
The alleged abuse took place over more than two years at his parent's home along the unit block of Ashley Court. Guiseppe lived in the basement of the home.
Prosecutors said Guiseppe showed pornography to the children before sexually assaulting the children in various ways. The assaults happened individually, officials said.
Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said there's a chance Guiseppe may have abused more children. They're asking concerned parents to call Caln Township police at 610.383.1821.
Guiseppe has a criminal history. He pled guilty to recklessly endangerment, fleeing an officer and driving under the influence in 2004.
He's currently at the Chester County Jail after failing to post bail, court documents show. He does not have an attorney listed.
