A person of interest in connection to a pair of home invasions and sex assaults in South Philadelphia is currently in custody, according to police.
Raheem Felder surrendered to police Friday after a warrant had been issued for a parole violation, police said.
Sources close to the investigation confirmed that red gloves and sneakers matching the victims' description from the attacks were found during a search of Felder's mother's home along the 1300 block of South Chadwick Street Thursday.
Special Victims Unit investigators along with US Marshals could be seen taking items from that home around 5 p.m Thursday. The home isn't far from one of two home invasions and sex assaults that have put the neighborhood on alert.
Police confirmed the investigators were searching for clues for a man wanted not only in an attack about four blocks away on Chadwick Street but also nearby Rosewood Street.
Roberta Felder, who owns the home where police searched, asked for her son Raheem Felder, who police called a person of interest, to surrender to police. Friday afternoon police told NBC10 a warrant had been issued for Felder's arrest but only for a parole violation, not for the sexual assaults. Raheem Felder later turned himself in. He has not been charged with the sexual assaults and home invasions.
Court records show Felder was arrested in May, 2001 for robbing a man at an ATM and shooting him in the head when he tried to fight back. The victim survived the shooting.
A year later Felder was convicted of aggravated assault and attempted murder in connection to the shooting. He was sentenced to 8 1/2 to 17 years in prison to be followed by ten years of probation. Records show he was denied parole five times because of misconduct and negative recommendations from the Department of Corrections. In August, 2013 he was granted parole and released in November that same year. He remains on parole until 2018. Friday's warrant was issued after he allegedly violated his parole on a weapons charge.
The suspect in the home invasions and sex assaults stole a victim's car during an initial break-in then returned to sexually assault a resident along Rosewood Street, Philadelphia Police revealed.
Earlier Thursday, Lt. Anthony McFadden outlined a new timeline for the crime and unveiled new surveillance photos of the suspect.
McFadden said the investigation has revealed that the suspect may have entered the home along the 1800 block of South Rosewood Street Monday, taken items, including the resident's car keys, then left the home in the victim's car. McFadden said new information points to the suspect then returning to the home an hour later to confront the 35-year-old female resident, demand money and ultimately sexually assault her.
At the news conference, police announced the City of Philadelphia's Mayor's Office issued a $10,000 reward for the apprehension and conviction the wanted man.
"We hope that that reward will encourage people in the South Philadelphia community to assist us in identifying and apprehending this offender and ridding this neighborhood of this threat," said Philadelphia Police Captain John Darby.
On Wednesday, Police released surveillance video, which McFadden explained, was taken between the time that the suspect broke into the victim's home and returned to sexually assault her.
The video shows the suspect in the victim's hatchback. You see him park in front of a fire hydrant a few blocks from the victims home at 4:51 a.m. Monday. You then see the man – who appears to be in his 20s and stands between 6-feet and 6-feet, 2-inches tall who was wearing black pants, a black long-sleeved zip-up jacket and a hat – get out of the vehicle and appear to quickly look around before reaching back into the vehicle.
New still photos of the suspect were taken in the area as the suspect left the residence on foot the second time, McFadden said.
Someone may have tried to break into the same home where the assault occurred on Wednesday morning, sources with knowledge of the investigation said. Police have yet to say if that reported attempted burglary is connected to the earlier attack.
Police did, however, connect an earlier sex assault on a 35-year-old mother of two inside her South Philly home back in March to this case. During that incident on the 1700 block of S Chadwick Street the suspect was also wearing red gloves and choked the woman, police said.
"This individual is dangerous and he may be looking through the neighborhood and has the time to case the area and look for any weaknesses in the neighborhood in regards to security," said Philadelphia Police Capt. John Darby.
If you have any information on the incidents, please contact Philadelphia Police. If you spot him, police want you to call 911 immediately.
Even after experiencing trauma as a young adult, North Philadelphia native Ebonye White found a way to transform her grief into something positive.
After the loss of her father, mother and cousin, White started an initiative to provide transitional housing for young women who want the opportunity to live a better life. She calls it “A Place of Their Own."
As a youth, White grew up in a neighborhood where she battled many challenges, plagued by the devastating loss of both her mother and father. White’s father died after he was shot eight times and her mother succumbed to cancer the summer before White was set to graduate from Hampton University, where she received her undergraduate degree in education.
“I kept on striving because in the back of my mind, I could hear my mom’s voice saying that I was her winner because she’s always called me her winner growing up," White said. "That was my inspiration. I realized that there are other people who have probably been through similar situations or harder situations than I had, and I had to find a way to be selfless because someone else may have endured the same circumstances.”
After having a conversation with her three sisters in 2012, White decided that they “needed to do something for us that we could call our own” and that’s how her initiative "A Place of Their Own" came to life.
After White registered as an LLC, the initiative took a brief hiatus until right before her cousin passed away in 2015. White realized that she wanted to create a transitional home for women and thought her cousin could be the face of the organization.
“In February of 2015, on Valentine’s Day, I lost my cousin, so that made me go even harder at pursuing this transition home for girls,” White said. “My younger cousin was one of those females who fell victim to the street, with a lot of the addictions that young women face, so I wanted to find a way so that somebody else’s child could survive or have a support system.”
With the support of her former classmates and friends and the financial backing of private donors, White was able purchase property in Philadelphia. However, the home needs extensive renovations before it can be up and running: doors, windows, plumbing, painting and furniture.
With a fundraising goal of $100,000 to cover the costs of the structural repairs and indoor furnishings, White has launched a website online where clothing and accessories can be purchased to raise an online donation fund to increase revenue. White hopes to break ground on the renovations this summer and have the house move-in-ready by January 2016. The house is located in North Philadelphia off 11th Street and Rising Sun Avenue.
The property can provide a home to six to eight girls. White wants the housing initiative to target youth in juvenile detention and the foster care system. Local community members and White’s colleagues have already signed on to provide support, coaching and motivation to future residents.
“I want to be able to show young people how to start their own businesses and so they’ll be having workshops, and we’re trying to help to actually build up the whole person, so we’ll have fitness classes, nutritional things going on, as well as spiritual opportunities,” White said.
A Place of Their Own, LLC is hosting a banquet on Saturday to help White achieve her fundraising goal and spread awareness about her current efforts and design aspirations for the transitional home. The banquet costs $30 to attend and will take place at Karima’s Banquet Hall on 1928 W. Hunting Park Avenue from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Entertainment includes performances from two soloists, poetry and spoken word. Guests will also receive dinner, enjoy the ambiance of tasteful décor and listen to White speak out about the importance of her cause.
THANK YOU, EL NINO (IN ADVANCE)
Lots of meteorologists have been trying to predict how active each hurricane season will be for a long time-some for 30+ years. A few have even been right. The ones most likely to be right, or close to right, are in years dominated by El Nino, or its opposite condition, La Nina.
I explained the strengthening El Nino in a prior blog. This massive warming of the Tropical Pacific Ocean has effects worldwide. It usually leads to an extremely active typhoon season in the Western Pacific. The Atlantic Ocean tends to react in the opposite way-a much less active hurricane season. But El Nino isn’t the only factor. We can’t just say that every moderate to strong El Nino year will feature a below average number of Atlantic hurricanes.
There are four major factors in pre-season hurricane forecasts:
1. El Nino/La Nina.
El Nino leads to bigger thunderstorms in the Pacific, and the winds coming out of the tops of those storms move into the Atlantic. Those winds create “shear”, which interrupts the development of tropical storms. They need generally light winds all the way up through the atmosphere. Shear will often push the higher clouds away from the center of the storm, leaving just the lower-level swirl. That type of storm will either weaken or just not develop.
Effect on hurricane activity: negative
2. Ocean Temperatures.
Hurricanes feed off of warm ocean waters-the warmer the “better”. We closely follow not only the actual temperatures, but their “Anomaly”, or difference from average for the date. Ocean temperatures in much of the Tropical Atlantic are below average (the blue color).
Effect on hurricane activity: negative
3. Sea Surface Pressures
If average surface pressures are below average, odds of tropical development go up. The opposite is also true. Pressures in the Tropical Atlantic have been above average.
Effect on hurricane activity: negative
4. Saharan Dust
The most dangerous hurricanes often start as disturbances that move off the African coast and move westward across the Atlantic. If there’s a lot more dust in the air coming off the Sahara Desert, it acts to suppress those eastern Atlantic (“Cape Verde”) storms. This graphic shows a LOT of dust from Africa to the Caribbean just a month ago.
Effect on hurricane activity: negative
So, you see EVERY major factor points to a relatively inactive Atlantic hurricane season. That’s why every forecast I’ve seen predicts a below-average season. Of course, as they say, “All it takes is one to make it a bad season.” Andrew proved that in the relatively “quiet” season of 1992-one of the strongest and most damaging in history.
You can watch Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz every weekday on NBC10 at 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @HurricaneNBC and stay informed when weather changes on the NBC10 app and with the NBC10 First Alert Weather Team on Facebook: NBC10Weather.
Police are investigating the death of a newborn baby whose body was found inside a duffel bag.
The infant was found inside a house on the 5800 block of Norfolk Street at 5:28 p.m. Friday. He was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he was pronounced dead at 5:59 p.m.
Police told NBC10 the child's 22-year-old mother gave birth to him Thursday and did not take him to the hospital. The woman then went to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Thursday night and complained of pain but did not report giving birth, according to investigators.
The woman's sister went to her home on Norfolk Street where she discovered the child's body and then called police.
Latifah Taylor, the mother's neighbor, told NBC10 the woman moved in less than six months ago.
"They've been very quiet, friendly," Taylor said. "I wouldn't say anything out of the ordinary."
Neighbors said they didn't know she was pregnant.
"Having a child myself, it just hurts my heart to hear something like that," said Ashley Newman. "She could have went another route but I just hope her and her family the best."
The mother is still at the hospital. Police searched through her home to gather evidence. No charges have been filed.
One person was hurt in a hit and run crash on Broad Street in South Philadelphia.
The victim was on Broad and Passyunk Avenue Friday night when he or she was struck by a vehicle which fled the scene, officials said.
The victim was taken to Jefferson Hospital. Officials have not yet revealed his or her condition. They also have not yet released a description of the hit-and-run vehicle.
This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.
Authorities say one of the two men caught on surveillance video sucker-punching and kicking another man inside a Hoboken McDonald's, leaving the victim hospitalized with massive head trauma, has turned himself in to police.
Paul Mailoni, 26, of Carmel, New York, the suspect seen throwing the punch, was charged with aggravated assault and endangering an injured victim, authorities said Friday. He appeared in court in Jersey City, and bail was set at $100,000.
It's not clear what provoked the attack at 3:30 a.m. Monday. There were witnesses, but no one can say what led to the the punch on the unsuspecting customer, according to police. Some video suggests the men may have been drinking.
In a criminal complaint from the Hudson County prosecutor's office, the victim was described as "suffering from blleding in the brain and had a portion of his skull removed in surgery."
Mailoni already had a warrant out for his arrest, but police were unable to locate him until he turned himself in.
Police are still looking for the man seen delivering what Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante described as a "soccer-style kick" to the victim on the floor.
After the attack, the two men are seen on video casually leaving the restaurant, food bags in hand.
The victim remains in the hospital, according to police. Investigators are not releasing the video of the actual attack or identifying the victim, other than to say that his parents live in New York.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hoboken police.
A local family is in need of money to buy a new wheelchair for a boy who was paralyzed after he was shot in the back nearly a decade ago.
Jabar Wright’s grandfather, Benjamin Wright, was a community activist who spoke out against the violence in Philadelphia. This made him a target of criminals in the neighborhood, according to his family.
On January 28, 2006, Jabar, who was six-years-old at the time, was in the backseat of Benjamin’s car in North Philadelphia when three gunmen opened fire.
While police say Benjamin was the intended target, Jabar was shot in the back of the neck. The boy survived the shooting but was paralyzed from the neck down.
Police identified the gunmen as Donte Rollins, Chris Powell and Raheem Collins. The family testified against all three men who were eventually sentenced to 120 years in prison. Despite this, Jabar’s family still endured threats from friends of the gunmen which continued for several years.
Jabar went through several surgeries and years of grueling recovery, defying expectations from doctors that he wouldn’t live long enough to become a teenager. Now at the age of 15, Jabar faces yet another challenge.
Jabar underwent a 10-hour spinal surgery on July 16, 2013 in which a rod was placed in his spine to correct a severe case of scoliosis, according to his family. The family told NBC10 the surgery added three-inches to his height, meaning his wheelchair was no longer able to accommodate him. They also say their insurance is unable to cover the cost of a new chair.
“Jabar does not qualify for another standard wheelchair for another two years,” said his mother Alicia Wright. “In this young man’s life he has endured many surgeries, two spinal infusion surgeries, a pacemaker surgery, flat lining twice, just to name a few things. But he never complains. He’s always grateful, humble and thankful.”
The family set up a GoFundMe page asking for donations for a new and bigger wheelchair for Jabar. Their fundraising goal is $60,000.
“As a mother, the worst feeling in the world is to know that your child has a dire need for something and you cannot provide,” Wright said. “My boy said, ‘mom, this chair hurts,’ and it killed me that I couldn’t make it happen right then and there. So I’m coming to all of you and asking to please help me take my son out of his misery of his chair that is too small and uncomfortable for him.”
A tractor trailer overturned on I-476 in Springfield Township, Delaware County Friday night.
The accident occurred near Exit 5/St. David's. Officials say fuel from the tractor trailer spilled after the crash.
Officials have not yet revealed whether the driver or anyone else was injured in the accident. The tractor trailer is blocking both northbound and southbound lanes on I-476 and only the shoulder is getting by both ways.
This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.
A teen girl is fighting for her life after a shooting in Kensington late Friday night.
The girl was on the 3500 block of Stouton Street around 11:30 p.m. when an unidentified gunman opened fire. The girl was struck at least once in the abdomen. She was taken to Temple University Hospital where she is currently in critical condition.
No arrests have been made.
Just two months after making the announcement that daughter Leah's cancer was officially in remission, Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still said the 5-year-old has suffered a health setback.
"I need some prayers sent up for Leah tonight! We hit a pretty serious complication from the stem cell transplant called VOD. They caught it early so hopefully it gives the doctors a better chance of stopping it from getting aggressive. As you can imagine our minds are all over the place but we're going to try and remain positive," Still said in an announcement late Friday night on his Instagram page.
Just two months ago, Still announced Leah's stage four neuroblastoma was in remission after 296 days.
Still and his daughter have captured the hearts of millions of people nationwide since she began to receive treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in June.
Leah, who had a tumor removed from her abdomen back in September, completed her latest course of chemotherapy in April and went through a stem cell transplant earlier this month.
The Duggar family from TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" has been dropped from the TLC Summer Block Party in Philadelphia May 30th.
The Duggars were originally slated to appear at the event, according to previous screen shots from the official event website, posted on Philly.com.
The event was still scheduled to take place May 30Th at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing with popular TLC personalities including Berks County's Kate Gosselin, New Jersey's "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro, "Little People Big World's" Roloff family and Randy from "Say Yes to the Dress."
The move comes after allegations surfaced that the oldest Duggar, Josh, molested five underage girls as a teenager back in 2002 and 2003.
The fall-out from the allegations included a public apology from Josh, his resignation from his position at the Family Research Council and TLC pulling all episodes of the show.
No charges have been filed in the case.
The man who was found dead inside a suitcase in Delaware County Thursday afternoon died of multiple blunt force injuries and was also stabbed according to the Delaware County Medical Examiner.
According to a report, released Saturday, 40-year-old Scott Stephen Bernheisel's death was listed as a homicide.
Bernheisel's identity was released by police on Friday. Bernheisel's last known address was in Philadelphia, according to records.
A dog walker was walking in the area of the old Westinghouse plant Thursday near 2nd Street in Tinicum, Pennsylvania -- not far from Philadelphia International Airport -- when he saw the suitcase, said the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
The man called police who came out and unzipped the suitcase to discover the man’s body stuffed inside the large brown case.
Jim Martin -- who walks his dog in the area called "Back Road" that sits just below flights paths -- said that he saw the case in the weeds a few days back and he noticed something strange about it.
"I smelled a smell -- you mentally think something, then you're like pause, pause it's my imagination," said Martin.
The Investigation continued.
At least one person was sent to the hospital following a head-on collision in Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County Saturday.
Police said the two vehicles collided near the intersection of County Line Road and Davisville Road before 5:00 p.m.
A photo of the scene, take by an NBC10 viewer showed a dark colored jeep and dark colored sedan, both heavily damaged.
Police said one person was taken to Abington hospital.
County Line Road was closed near the crash scene as police investigated.
No word on the condition of the person taken to the hospital or informaiton about anyone else involved in the crash.
This is a developing story, stay with NBC10 for updates.
Fellow politicians offered condolences on the death of Beau Biden who lost his battle with brain cancer Saturday night.
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.):
“Martha and I just heard the news that Beau had passed away after a valiant struggle. Our hearts are breaking for Joe and Jill, for Hallie and their children, Natalie and Hunter, and for the entire Biden family. Beau represented all that is good about Delaware and our country. He was the complete package – bright; hardworking; incredibly loyal to his family; a loving son, brother, husband and father, principled; handsome; well-spoken; unassuming. He had the heart of a servant, too. His future seemed to know no bounds.
“I first met Beau when he was six years old. He was the son that any of us would be proud to call our own. It’s been a privilege to watch him grow up and become a leader in our state and in the Delaware National Guard. My last memory of Beau was during the Return Day Parade in Georgetown, Delaware two days after last November’s election. I was walking along the parade route shaking hands with people just as Beau passed by, standing in a National Guard vehicle, waiving at the crowd. For a moment, our eyes met, he waived to me and I to him. Then, he mouthed these words to me, ‘I love you.’ I smiled and returned them to him. And, he was gone.”
U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.):
“Beau Biden was an extraordinary father, husband, son, and public servant, but above all, he was a good and decent man. His passing is a great loss for his family and friends and for Delaware.
“Throughout his life, Beau never shied away from doing the right thing, even when it meant doing the hard thing. Beau served his country and community with honor, and that’s how he will be remembered.
"My family knew Beau as a family man devoted to his wife, Hallie, and their children, Natalie and Hunter, and as a hardworking, kind-hearted person.
"Annie and I are praying tonight for the entire Biden family – for Joe and Jill, for Hunter and Ashley, and for Hallie, Natalie, and Hunter – and we know they have the support and love of their neighbors all throughout our state.”
Statement from Congressman John Carney:
"Tracey and I are heartbroken. It's one of those times when you imagine if you try hard enough, the news somehow won't be true. There are no words deep enough to express our sense of loss, and there are certainly no words meaningful enough to express our sympathy to Hallie and the children, to Joe, Jill, Hunter, Ashley, Valerie, and all the family. Beau had a warm and generous spirit. He was a truly giving person, and he appreciated the good in others in the way we all should. He leaves a legacy of service, and also a great personal legacy that calls on each of us to be more gentle in our judgments and more gracious with our thanks. He was one of the best of the good guys."
Statement from Delaware Governor Jack Markell:
Governor Markell extended his deepest sympathies to the family of Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III.
"Carla and I are heartbroken for Hallie, his children, his parents, his siblings, and the entire Biden family. Beau spent his entire career in the service of his country and his state. He was an outstanding Attorney General, lawyer, soldier, and father. I feel privileged to have served with him and Delaware is a better place thanks to him.
Beau was also a friend. He was unfailingly interested in the well being of Carla, my kids and my extended family. My entire family is shattered by his death."
In honor and remembrance of Beau's life, the Governor has directed that the U.S. and Delaware flags be flown at half-staff.
Statement by Wilmington, DE, City Council President Theo Gregory:
“I join with my Council colleagues and with citizens in Wilmington and throughout our State in expressing great sadness concerning the passing of Beau Biden. On behalf of our City Council Members and Council staff, I express condolences to Hallie and the children, to Vice-President Biden and Dr. Biden, the entire Biden family and Beau’s many friends. He served his state and country with distinction. Beau cared deeply about his fellow Delawareans and we are grateful for his record of public service. Above all, we will remember him for being a good person who was devoted to his family.”
