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Police Investigate Multiple Pharmacy Holdups

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After a break-in on Sunday marked the fourth pharmacy heist in the past few weeks, police are looking for a possible link. 

Police say a man walked into a Burlington Township CVS Pharmacy at 7 a.m. Sunday and knew his way around the store…a little too well.

According to police, the suspect, who was wearing a baseball cap and carrying a backpack entered the Pharmacy on Neck Road with a silver handgun and forced employees to open up an office safe, steering clear of surveillance cameras.

“They were blindsided right from the get-go,” Detective Marc Carnivale said. “They were literally only in the store less than five minutes.”

Police say the man managed to flee the scene and walked away with thousands of dollars.

With the suspect still on the loose, local shoppers are uneasy. Some are even considering using a drive-through window to avoid the chance of running into an armed robber.

“It’s very scary because I go there all the time and I take my granddaughter with me,” Jan Daly said.

Authorities believe this holdup could be connected to a string of armed burglaries, as four others occurred in recent weeks. A similar break-in occurred in an Aston CVS the night before and police say the suspect of that case has a similar build, height and attire as the Burlington suspect.

Police are cautioning local CVS shoppers not to resist, but rather comply if they encounter an armed thief. 

Authorities in Aston and Burlington are working closely with those in Wilmington in Bucks County in hopes of catching the criminals.

If you have any information about the suspect’s whereabouts, you are urged to contact the Burlington Township Police Department at 609-386-2019.


NJ Church Group to Sleep at Philly Zoo for Pope Visit

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While some people are spending as much as $600 a night at hotels for Pope Francis’ highly anticipated visit to Philadelphia, a North Jersey church group is spending less money on a far less luxurious place to stay: the Philadelphia Zoo.

“The zoo makes it a little more down to earth because it’s more like a pilgrimage,” said Melissa Peters, a congregant at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey. “We’re not gonna be staying in a hotel room where we have showers or where we have continental breakfasts and things like that. Instead we’re sleeping with animals in order to see the pope.”

Peters and 220 other parents and children from the church will sleep on the floor of the Philly Zoo buildings housing the bird and insect exhibits during the Pope’s visit to Philly for the World Meeting of Families in September. 

“A pilgrimage is very different from a vacation or a trip,” said Cathy Hunt, another congregant. “A pilgrimage is a prayer experience and any discomfort that you’ll feel the excitement will be tenfold that.” 

Church leaders say Pope Francis was named for Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals. They plan on publicizing their unique accommodations on Instagram and Twitter in the hopes that Pope Francis will take notice. 

“If he kisses one of our kids I’ll be smiling the whole ride home,” said Father Gino de la Rama. 

The church members will pay $120 a person for the overnight stay at the zoo and the bus ride. The church office said they’re getting phone calls from people asking if there is still room on the zoo floor. Philadelphia zoo officials say they’re completely sold out however. 

Abuse Survivor: Strength in Numbers with Cosby's Alleged Victims

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For Beth Rubin, a local woman who endured two decades of domestic abuse at the hands of the father of her children, the 35 women who came together to tell their stories about their alleged sexual assaults by Bill Cosby are more than inspiring.

They're empowering, Rubin, 64, said Monday during an interview at her Elkins Park home, the day all 35 women -- together -- graced the cover of New York magazine in a stunning show of strength in numbers. The women's stories have the potential to save lives and give women the push they need to get out of abusive situations, Rubin said.

"It's very powerful. When you're going through this, you're very much alone. You're in fear of that person, and you're in fear of everything, and very depressed and isolated," said Rubin, a retired Philadelphia schoolteacher who is mother to three adult daughters. "So it just gives credence to your story. It empowers you ... you give it up during the abuse, you give up your power. And it feels like you're getting it back when you can tell your story and be honest."

The 35 women who are accusing Cosby came together to tell their stories to New York magazine, which published each of their accounts and put photos of all of the women -- who span ages, races and lifestyles -- on the cover of its July 27-Aug. 9 issue.

Rubin, who works a volunteer for the Women's Center of Montgomery County's hotline and as a court advocate for women in the process of obtaining protection-from-abuse orders, said that since issues of violence against women have been propelled to the forefront of the nation's awareness, she's noticed an uptick in abused women seeking help. She said she believes the women coming together to tell their stories of alleged abuse by Cosby will empower more women to come forward.

"It says that you have a voice, just use your voice. Don't squelch it. Make it known," she said. "It's hard, because you feel like it reflects on you, that you're the one that got  yourself in, because we're so used to victim-blaming."

Rubin said she herself had to reach her breaking point alone -- and that it took her several years and more than one separation and reconciliation with her abusive husband to do so. Her daughters begged her to leave their father, to whom she was married for 23 years before she finally got out of the relationship, she said.

What pushed her over the edge was "when he put his hands around my throat," Rubin said. "I kept saying, 'I'm done,' but when he actually put his hands around my throat ... I called the Women's Center. I was a caller. That was in 1995."

Her mother helped her by renting her an apartment, and she made a plan. She and her daughters -- 11, 15 and 18 at the time -- left while her husband was away on a business trip.

Now, nearly two decades later, Rubin says she's at the best place in her life.

Cosby's accusers banding together is a step in the right direction and much progress has been made since her own abuse began in the 1970s, Rubin said -- but there's still work to be done, she cautioned.

"Seeing them the way they actually are in a large group is powerful. I hope that individual women do find their voice and tell their story and aren't afraid," she said. "I think it really has to be a dialogue with men ... That's what we need, is men talking about how they can be virile and strong and not be sexually aggressive. I think we have a ways to go, but it's great that people are talking about it."



Photo Credit: NBC10 - Rich Notaro
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Woman in Bike Accident Meets Good Samaritan

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A woman finally met the man who came to her rescue when she flipped off her bike while riding in Philadelphia.

Cari Sobolewski was traveling from Chester Springs to Manayunk along the Schuylkill River Trail with her husband on July 4. The trail was packed with runners and bicyclists, and while navigating through the traffic, Sobolewski hit a rider in front of her and flipped off her bike.

The Chester County native was instantly knocked unconscious, but recalls waking up to a man named Steve, holding up her neck. Her husband recalls Steve being a nurse, but that's the only detail they knew about him besides his name.

"When I first opened my eyes, the person I saw standing over me was Steve saying everything would be OK," Sobolewski said.

Steve was also riding along the trail, but came to Sobolewski’s aid when he saw she was hurt.

While Sobolewski and her husband waited 20 minutes for an ambulance, Steve stayed by her side, making sure she was stabilized.

Sobolewski never got a chance to speak to Steve, but she wanted to meet the mystery man.

"I wanted to reach out and thank him,” said Sobolewski. “This guy really stepped in and took care of me."

Sobolewski posted a picture of Steve and her story on Facebook. NBC10 was then able to find her rescuer, Steve Klein. The two met at a Starbucks in King of Prussia around 7 p.m. Monday. 

"We were all very concerned about her and never expected to know anything more," Klein said. "The fact that she reached out through Facebook and through NBC10 is just an amazing testament to the power of social media today." 

Sobolewski gave Klein a cycling shirt for the group she rides with which raises money for cancer research. She aso said she's ready to get back on her bike soon. 

WATCH: Wild Police Chase Ends in South Philly

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A two-hour long police chase came to an end when officers clipped the suspect's vehicle, causing it to flip over in South Philadelphia.

The incident began at 7:23 p.m. Monday as police in Oaklyn, New Jersey, tried to initiate a motor vehicle stop of a suspect wanted in connection to an armed robbery with a shotgun in Brooklawn, New Jersey.

The suspect, identified by police as Robert Ritter of Blackwood, New Jersey, allegedly sped off in a white van.

SkyForce10 was over the scene as police pursued. The suspect led police on a wild chase towards the Platt Bridge in South Philadelphia. He then continued onto I-95 towards the Walt Whitman Bridge.

The chase continued as the suspect traveled through I-295, Black Horse Pike, Camden, Gloucester City, I-676 back into Camden, back onto the Walt Whitman Bridge, Route 42 South, Route 55 South, the parking lot of the Deptford Mall in Deptford Township, back onto Route 42 northbound, back onto I-676 and onto the Ben Franklin Bridge back into Philly.

The suspect then continued through Chestnut Street onto Front Street towards Arch before turning onto York Street and Frankford Avenue. The van then traveled onto Lehigh Avenue and back onto I-95 around 9:30 p.m.

While on I-95, police vehicles appeared to have the van boxed in and surrounded. However, the suspect managed to weave around the police vehicles and escape and the pursuit continued.

The chase finally ended around 9:35 p.m. at Enterprise and Island Avenue near Philadelphia International Airport when a police vehicle bumped the van, causing it to flip over.

The officers then surrounded Ritter, who was wearing a New York Giants Tiki Barber jersey, and took him into custody.

"He just looked dazed and confused at the time of arrest," said Philadelphia Police Lieutenant John Walker.

Ritter is currently at the hospital and is facing three counts of aggravated assault. He will be extradited back to Oaklyn, New Jersey where he will face more charges.

No police officers were injured during the chase.

Owner of Cremated Remains Comes Forward

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A mystery in North Philadelphia has been solved after the owner of a woman's cremated remains that were found in an empty lot came forward. 

A woman found the cremation box of Linda Upshur in a lot on the 2600 block of Oakdale Street in the Strawberry Mansion section of the city Sunday morning. Upshur died on July 11, 2007 at the age of 64 and was cremated on July 24, 2007. The box lists the Ivy Hill Cemetery and Crematory on 1201 Easton Road in Philadelphia.

NBC10 first reached out to the Ivy Hill Cemetery. A representative from the cemetery told NBC10 they released Upshur's remains to a Philadelphia funeral home. NBC10 contacted the home but never received a response. 

After checking the name, NBC10 found a 1976 article from the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper about Upshur stating she lived in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia. According to the article, Upshur was a commercial credit analyst at Continental Bank in Center City as well as a musician with ties to the NAACP Youth Organization and the YWCA.

An NBC10 viewer also found a newspaper clipping of Upshur from the Pittsburgh Courier in 1962 reporting she had chosen to work in the U.S. Air Force and was also a volunteer worker with the Colorado Springs' School for the Deaf and Blind. 

NBC10 then contacted Emma Chappell, a friend and former co-worker of Upshur at Continental who was also involved in the NAACP. 

"She was kind of like I," Chappell said. "We were very active in the civil rights movement. I remember a very attractive, fun-loving person who had a wonderful personality. She was a beautiful young lady."

After searching once again through the neighborhood Monday night, Linda Cooper, who claimed to be a close friend of Upshur and the owner of her ashes, came forward and reached out to us. Cooper, who referred to Upshur as her "street mother," said at some point Upshur fell on hard times and began battling a drug addiction. Cooper claimed she and a group of young women became Upshur's only family until she died in 2007. 

"She was a wonderful person," Cooper said. "She was good to us. All of us." 

Cooper told NBC10 she held Upshur's ashes in her apartment, which is located about a block and a half away from the empty lot where they were found Monday. 

"I had her ashes for like three or four years," Cooper said. "And my husband passed away. And when I moved out I left a lot of things behind. And I guess that's how you guys found her ashes." 

Cooper told NBC10 she never intended any disrespect. The box of ashes is currently being held by Philadelphia Police. 

"I loved her," Cooper said. "I loved her so much. She was a wonderful woman." 

Firefighter Injured During House Fire in Philly

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A firefighter and two others were injured during a house fire in Philadelphia early Tuesday morning.

The fire started about 3:20 a.m. inside a home in the 5900 block of Kingsessing Avenue.

When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy smoke and flames billowing from the first floor.

Firefighters were able to place the blaze under control in about 20 minutes.

The firefighter was treated for minor injuries.

The conditions of the two others injured was not immediately known.

The cause is under investigation.



Photo Credit: NBC10

3 Shot in Feltonville

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A man sitting inside a home was one of three people shot in a Philadelphia neighborhood late Monday night.

The shooting happened about 11 p.m. in the 5000 block of Boudinot Street in the Feltonville neighborhood.

According to investigators, three people were shot, including a man who was struck by bullet through a window while he was inside a home.

One person was shot in the leg. The second individual was shot in the side and leg. It was not immediately known where the third person was shot. All three were taken to Temple University Hospital.

Police are searching for three males who were seen running through an alley after the shooting.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Water Main Break on Roosevelt Boulevard

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A water main break slowed traffic along the Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia Tuesday morning.

A 12-inch main ruptured in the northbound outer lanes of the Boulevard at Sandyford Avenue.

As a result of the water main break, all northbound traffic was blocked at the Boulevard near Cottman Avenue.

Workers with the Water Department were able to shut down the main.

Water Department officials said no customers were impacted.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Fire Destroys Home of Vacationing South Jersey Family

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A house was heavily damaged during a fire in South Jersey Tuesday morning.

Flames engulfed a home in the 200 block of Buckingham Court in Monroe Township, Gloucester County.

Firefighters say the blaze started about 3:30 a.m. in a downstairs front room and went up through the roof, causing a partial collapse.

The fire reached two-alarms before it was placed under control.

No one was inside the home at the time of the fire. Neighbors told NBC10 that the family was vacationing out of the country.

The home was heavily damaged.

The fire does not appear to be suspicious, fire officials said.

The cause is under investigation.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Trump's Attorney Says 'You Can't Rape Your Spouse'

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Donald Trump is making headlines again Tuesday, this time over something his lawyer said while trying to defend the Republican presidential candidate against decades-old allegations of rape, NBC's "Today" show reported. 

Michael Cohen, a lawyer for the Trump Organization reportedly told the Daily Beast: "You're talking about the front-runner for the GOP, presidential candidate, as well as private individual who never raped anybody...And of course, understand that by the very definition, you can't rape your spouse." 

Cohen went on to say, "I think you should go ahead and you should write the story that you plan on writing. I think you should do it. Because I think you're an idiot. And I think your paper's a joke, and it's going to be my absolute pleasure to serve you with a $500 million lawsuit, like I told [you] I did it to Univision."

The comments, which went viral overnight, came in response to an article published Monday that resurfaces allegations that Trump raped his then wife Ivana Trump in 1989. Trump has denied those accusations in the past.

His campaign said in a statement overnight, "This is an event that has been widely reported on in the past, it is old news and it never happened. It is a standard lawyer technique, which was used to exploit more money from Mr. Trump especially since he had an ironclad prenuptial agreement. It is just a way for the badly failing and money losing Daily Beast, which has been reporting inaccurately on Mr. Trump for years, to get some publicity for itself."

Previously, Ivana Trump issued a statement saying that she felt "violated"- treated without the usual love and tenderness- by Trump, and that she did not mean to use the term "rape" literally or criminally.  


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Female Critically Injured in 2-Car Crash in Delaware

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A crash in Delaware that left a woman in extremely critical condition is under investigation.

Around 6:50 a.m. Tuesday, investigators said two vehicles collided at the intersection of westbound DE Rt. 273 (Christiana Road) and Airport Road in New Castle.

Delaware State Police initially reported that a female driver was killed in the crash. However, they later said that through advanced lifesaving efforts provided to the victim by New Castle County paramedics, she has been admitted to the Christiana Hospital in extremely critical condition.

There were no other injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Man Stalks, Steals Cell Phone From 14-Year-Old Girl in Philly

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A male was caught on camera stalking a teenage girl and then stealing her cell phone in Philadelphia.

About 7 p.m. on July 21, the suspect was captured on surveillance video wandering around in the area of 16th and Ritner Streets in South Philadelphia for approximately an hour.

Around 8 p.m., the suspect began following a 14-year-old girl to the 2400 block of S. 16th Street.

As the girl began to walk up steps to enter a home, the suspect grabbed her phone and ran away.

The victim was not injured.

The suspect remains on the loose.

Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to contact police.



Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police Department
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Guy in Pickup Scouts Out Gas Stations Before Thefts

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A guy in an older teal Chevy pickup with dents in the hood: That’s who and what police in South Jersey are looking for as they investigate a series of overnight thefts from gas stations.

Toms River Police released surveillance images Tuesday morning of the truck and suspect in question apparently scouting out the heist before returning hours later to steal air pumps—the type motorists use to fill their tires – under the cover of darkness.

In the images taken around 7 p.m. on July 10 show the green truck at the Exxon station at Route 37 and Route 166 and the man—wearing a blue shirt and dark shorts – appearing to be on his cellphone while walking around not far from the air pump, which has a value of about $1,100. Around 4 a.m. the next morning, the truck returned and the man stole the machine, said police.

The man has also swiped air pumps from other area gas stations, said investigators.

Anyone who recognizes the truck or the man in blue is asked to call Detective Roger Hull at 732-349-0150, ext. 1291.



Photo Credit: Toms River Police

Burglar on Bike Breaks Into Homes

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A homeless man dubbed by police as the bicycle burglar is wanted in a series of overnight break-ins in several New Jersey communities, authorities say. 

Home surveillance video from one of the burglaries shows the suspect, 47-year-old James Rainsford, calmly walking up to one Allendale home and trying one door after another. He bolts when an alarm sounds and runs across the lawn, and soon after, his bike reflectors are seen spinning away as he rides off.

Rainsford has broken into homes while people are home, which Allendale Police Det. Michael Dillon calls most alarming. 

"Typically those types of burglaries result in violent confrontations with the homeowner," he said. 

Rainsford travels far on his two wheels, police believe; he's thought to have broken into or have attempted to break into into at least seven homes in three towns: besides Allendale, Rainsford is wanted in Little Falls 12 miles away and in North Caldwell 20 miles away. There, he swiped the keys to a 2012 Acura MDX while a family was inside.

And at one house in Little Falls, police said he made off with ice cream and Chinese food. In fact, the alleged bike burglar seemed to often have the munchies, swiping snacks during the burglaries: he took a water bottle and almonds in the North Caldwell break-in. 

Police believe Rainsford is squatting in vacant homes in Paterson, New Jersey. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. 


Lifeguards From Throughout South Jersey Do Battle

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Lifeguards from all over South Jersey showed off their life saving skills at the 25th Annual Lifeguard Classic in Atlantic City.

Last Amtrak Derailment Survivor Leaves Philadelphia Hospital

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More than two months after a deadly Amtrak train crash in Philadelphia, the last survivor has left the hospital.

In an e-mail sent out Tuesday morning, Temple University Hospital announced that no patients injured in the derailment remained there.

Temple University Hospital was the last hospital in the area still treating patients injured in the crash.

The crash happened on May 12 in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. Eight people were killed and more than 200 were injured.

The train, investigators said, was traveling over 100 mph in a 50 mph zone.

The train was traveling from Washington, D.C. to New York City.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Let's Talk Universal Pre-K

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An important conversation about the benefits of Universal Pre- K and how to pay for it is underway in Philadelphia.

My Brother's Keeper

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Interview with Wilmington's Mayor Dennis P. Williams talking about "My Brothers Keeper," a community challenge that is set to launch in Delaware.

Are You Ready to Have Coffee With a Cop?

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Interview with Lieutenant Peter Sharpe, from the Lower Merion Police Department about the event "Coffee With A Cop", an event with hopes to build a better relationships between Police and the Community.
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