A Philadelphia judge has rejected the city's attempt to impose a tax on lap dances in strip clubs.

The judge agreed Wednesday with the conclusions of the Tax Review Board that the tax is inappropriate.

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The city had appealed the board's findings.

Strip clubs argued they already pay a 5 percent amusement tax on admission charges and that the law is not intended to also cover interior entertainment.

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The Philadelphia Daily News says the mayor's office did not comment on whether it would file further appeals.
 

A West Philadelphia man charged in the murder of a young Philadelphia woman whose body was found in a duffel bag tried to commit suicide while in police custody, according to law enforcement sources.

Sources tell NBC10 that Jeremiah Jakson, 23, tried to hang himself while at police headquarters Tuesday night. The alleged suicide attempt was made prior to Jakson officially being charged for the murder of 23-year-old Laura Araujo, a recent graduate of the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Police say Jakson's motive was robbery.

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On Monday, around 5:30 a.m., Araujo's body was found in front of an abandoned house on the 2200 block of North 3rd Street in the Kensington section of the city, her hands and feet bound. She had been beaten and strangled, and her body had been put in a trash bag, wrapped in a blanket and then stuffed into the duffel bag.

Earlier that morning around 2:30 a.m., Lieutenant Donald Bradley of the Philadelphia Fire Marshal's Office responded to a car fire on the 1600 block of South Bambrey Street in South Philadelphia. Araujo's 2011 Toyota Rav4 was up in flames after someone intentionally burned it. Bradley then went to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania around 4:30 a.m. where he interviewed Jakson, who police say was suffering from burn wounds.

"He was calm and very matter of fact," Bradley said. "I asked him what happened. He expressed he was in an altercation, he and friends with other people at 30th and Tasker." 

Bradley told homicide detectives about Jakson, placing him on the radar as a possible suspect. Jakson was then transferred to the Chester-Crozer burn center. Investigators then realized that the same car that was lit on fire was registered under Araujo's name. Police also say Jakson's cell phone was found at the scene of the car fire. They later determined that Jakson was responsible for the arson as well as Araujo's death.

"It's tragic," Bradley said. "I was really happy that some of the information that I was able to provide helped bring justice to the young lady and her family." 

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According to police, Jakson lived in the same rooming house as Araujo on the 800 block of North 40th Street. Jakson believed Araujo had a large amount of cash on her based on the vehicle she was driving, according to investigators.

Police say at some point Jakson attacked Araujo and strangled her to death inside the building. According to law enforcement sources, Jakson strangled her with a quarter-inch rope after forcing her to give up the pin number to her bank card so that he could make a withdrawal. Police say he then stole her car, burned it, and stuffed her body inside the duffel bag.

Police told NBC10 that Jakson's mother was instrumental in the investigation. She described her 23-year-old son as troubled and said she knew something was wrong as soon as she saw burns on his arms Tuesday. She told detectives she kicked him out of the family's home after he allegedly robbed someone and was unsure where he was staying at the time of Araujo's death.

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Police picked Jakson up from the Crozer-Chester Medical Center on Tuesday. He walked into police headquarters with his arms wrapped in bandages. According to investigators, Jakson tried to hang himself Tuesday night while inside police headquarters but was stopped by officers inside.

Early Wednesday morning, police executed a search warrant at Jackson's home. He was then officially charged with murder and robbery.

Authorities say Araujo's computer and phone were stolen, but the rest of her belongings -- mixed in with trash -- sat nearby the bag containing her remains Monday morning.

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Araujo was about to start a new job at a local hotel when she was killed, Homicide Division Capt. James Clark said. Police also say she had only lived in the rooming house for one week before she decided to leave.

Clark says Araujo was searching for a new place to live and had her "life's belongings" in her car at the time of her death.

"All her belongings were found where her body was found in North Philadelphia. So obviously, after the murder, after her body was dumped there, somebody took her vehicle to South Philadelphia and set it on fire to try to cover their tracks," said Clark.

Clark says autopsy results showed Araujo was killed four to eight hours before her body was found. Her official cause of death was strangulation.

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While police confirmed that Jakson murdered her in the complex where they both lived, they have not yet determined whether she was killed inside her apartment or the exact time of her death.

Police suspect Jakson and Araujo were involved in an argument prior to her death and the victim was moving out because she thought it was in her best interest.

According to police records, Jakson has an extensive criminal history. He has been arrested six times since 2007, with his first arrest occurring when he was 15-years-old. All of the previous charges were related to theft, guns and robbery.

Araujo was from the Bronx in New York, but had been living in Philadelphia for the last four to five years while earning her degree in Fashion Design. She graduated in December. From her LinkedIn page, Araujo appears to have been a standout student who was on the Dean's List and received "Best of Quarter" recognition for six different classes.

The school would not answer questions about Araujo "out of respect for the family," said communications director Devra Pransky, but issued this statement:

“We are sorry to learn that Laura Araujo, a 2013 graduate of The Art Institute of Philadelphia’s Fashion Marketing program, recently passed away. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Ms. Araujo’s family and friends at this difficult time."

Araujo's work outside school included tutoring children and adults who were learning English as a second language, according to her LinkedIn profile. She also listed work with community outreach programs in Oklahoma and Georgia. Clark described her as a smart girl with a bright future.

Her father, Lorenzo Araujo, said the last time he saw her was two weeks ago during a family trip to the Dominican Republic. Lorenzo claims she never showed any signs of distress.

"She was a religious individual," Lorenzo said. "Very methodical. Very selective with her friends and the people she related to most of the time."

Farmers’ Market vendors are on edge after counterfeit cash was found at two locations in our area.
Counterfeit $50 bills were discovered at the Farmers’ Market in Rittenhouse Square two weeks ago. Counterfeit $100 bills were also discovered at the Farmers’ Market in Emmaus, Lehigh County on Sunday.

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The vendors claim the counterfeit money was printed over a real $5 bill and the watermark of Abraham Lincoln is still visible, though barely. Vendors at both locations are now taking precautions and telling employees what to look out for.

“We’re doing some training on paying attention when you’re getting large bills,” said Nicky Uy of the Food Trust. “If you put it up against the light you can tell. If you’re shopping somewhere and you notice that you’ve gotten a bill that looks funny, then approach a market manager. They’re there as a resource to talk to you about anything at the market that looks kind of suspicious.”

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Both Philadelphia Police in Emmaus Police are investigating. Emmaus Police tell NBC10 they don’t want to release details at this time on how the bills were manufactured. No arrests have been made.

Farmers' Markets are retail markets were farmers sell food directly to consumers. Over 20 Farmers’ Markets are located in Philadelphia.

Residents in a quiet Lehigh Valley neighborhood are on edge after a homeowner was robbed and carjacked while a woman was possibly kidnapped.

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Investigators say the incident occurred Wednesday morning along the 5400 block of Boulevard Grand Cru in Upper Saucon Township. Landscapers with the M&M Lawn Service say they were working along the street when they noticed a black Mazda try to pass them.

“I moved the truck and they came in,” said Dan Marakovits, the owner of M&M. “I didn’t think anything of it. About 20 minutes later an individual came in with a Mercedes convertible, gray.”

The driver of the Mercedes was 73-year-old Russell Yurchak. Yurchak told police that a woman and three men knocked on his door, claiming they were looking for a party. They then allegedly forced their way inside the house, guns drawn.

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“They tied him up, placed a gun to his head and proceeded to steal items from the residence in addition to stealing his Mercedes car,” said Upper Saucon Township Police Chief Robert Coyle.

Marakovits says he saw both the Mercedes and the Mazda speed away from the scene in different directions.

“Maybe a half hour later, two of them sped right by us going fast,” he said. “I had guys working here so I was a little concerned about that. The Mercedes went out in the other exit at a fast rate of speed.”

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After police arrived, Yurchak told investigators that a 36-year-old woman was abducted by the home invaders. According to Yurchak, she was in the home at the time of the home invasion, helping him write a book.

“She may have possibly been abducted by these individuals,” Coyle said. “We’re not certain at this time but we’re going under the auspices that it very well may have been.”

Detectives say they don’t believe the attack was random. They’re currently working with the FBI to determine if a kidnapping actually occurred. Meanwhile those who live in the affluent community are shocked by the recent crime.

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“I mean, especially around here,” said Chip Maragulia. “We just never expected anything like that. We feel so safe in our neighborhood.”

Police have not yet released a description of the suspects. If you have any information on the incident, please call the Upper Saucon Township Police at (610) 282-3064.

Two men are fighting for their lives after a shooting in North Philly.

• Funeral Director Helps Victims of Gesner Street Fire

A 23-year-old man and a 27-year-old man were on the 400 block of West Cumberland Street shortly before 8 p.m. on Wednesday when an unidentified gunman fired 15 shots.

The 23-year-old man was struck once in the back and once in the leg. The 27-year-old man was struck twice in the back of the head and once in the back.

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Both men were taken to Temple University Hospital where they are in critical condition.

No arrests have been made and police have not yet recovered a weapon.

If you have any information on this shooting, please call Philadelphia Police.

Two women were arrested after they allegedly beat a woman and held her captive inside a Delaware home.

On Tuesday, shortly after 1 p.m., officials received a call from a 29-year-old woman claiming she was being held against her will inside a home in New Castle, Delaware. 

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When officers arrived at the scene, they found 19-year-old Jessica Jones of New Castle and 25-year-old Laneeka Clark of Philadelphia exiting the home, according to investigators. Police say they then then entered the home where they found the battered 29-year-old woman inside a closet.

The victim told police she went to the home willingly with Jones Monday night. As soon as she entered however, Clark allegedly assaulted her. Police say Jones and Clark then forced the woman into a spare bedroom and demanded money. The women allegedly assaulted the victim throughout the night and refused to let her leave.

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The victim says she was eventually able to call 911 from her cellphone but was then forced back into a closet and threatened after the suspects found out she made the call.

Both Jones and Clark were taken into custody and charged with kidnapping and terroristic threatening. Jones is also charged with conspiracy while Clark is charged with assault.

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Jones was arraigned and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Insititution in lieu of $33,000 secured bail. Clark was also committed to the same Correctional Institution in lieu of $53,000 secured bail.
 

The search is on for an alleged peeping tom accused of spying on a woman at a clothing store in Warminster, Pa. 

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A woman told police she was inside the Kohl’s Department Store on Monday around 8 p.m. on the 900 block of West Street Road. As she was inside the dressing room trying on clothes, the woman says she noticed a man peeking at her underneath the stall door.

The woman claimed she confronted the man, who told her he was looking for his wife. Police say the man then left the store.

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According to security officers, prior to spying on the woman, the man was inside the store for about five hours loitering around in the juniors section with a cell phone in his hand. He left before they could identify him however.

The suspect is described as a man in his mid-30’s to early 40’s. If you have any information on his identity or whereabouts, please call the Warminster Police Department at 215-343-0100.
 

Some Philadelphia homeowners have been overcharged for fixing up their properties, according to a new report from the City Controller.

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On Wednesday, City Controller Alan Butkovitz released the annual auditor’s report on Philadelphia city agencies for fiscal year 2012. The report found that Licenses & Inspections overbilled property owners a total of 34 percent based on a review of sampled invoices for clean and seal work.

Officials say that four bills, randomly selected by Butkovitz’s auditors, were overstated due to an error in the billing system. According to Butkovitz, the billing system incorrectly added an additional half-hour for each employee and truck assigned to a clean and seal job. L&I officials perform clean and seal jobs whenever an owner fails to correct code violations and the property needs to be cleaned and secured.

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“It raises a serious concern when the City is overbilling property owners,” said Butkovitz.  “If the City expects owners of these properties to pay the full amount on time, it needs to bill for the correct amount.”

The auditors sampled the following properties:

Credit: Philadelphia Controller's Office

According to officials, L&I indicated to auditors that it issued 1492 clean and seal bills in 2012 which totaled almost $1.4 million in charges. Butkovitz says the overbillings have existed since 2010 when the Controller’s Office found that all five of the sample bills included overcharges.

“It only took a small random sampling of bills to realize there was still a systemic problem with L&I’s billing system,” said Butkovitz.  “The abatement billing system needs to be corrected to ensure that only authorized costs are included in the billings to property owners.”

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According to officials, L&I sent 1336 bills totaling almost $860,000 in 2010 and 1,235 bills totaling $1.1 million in 2011.

Butkovitz claims that L&I has indicated in its agency response that the billing system error has been corrected. However, Butkovitz says his office will continue to monitor and make the appropriate recommendations.

You can view the full auditor’s report on the City Controller website.
 

A Bucks County school van driver was suspended from her job after she allegedly left a 4-year-old boy with special needs alone in her vehicle for three hours on Tuesday.

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Investigators say the unidentified woman picked up the boy from his home in Bensalem Tuesday morning along with four other children with special needs who attend the Friendship Circle Center on Emily Avenue in Bristol Township.

Officials say the driver dropped four of the children off at the center around 9:00 a.m. before driving the 10-passenger van back to her home. It wasn’t until after she returned to the school at noon to pick up the children that she realized the 4-year-old boy had never left the vehicle, according to investigators. Officials say the driver and staff members at Friendship Circle found the boy in the back row of the van.

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The boy was immediately removed from the vehicle, given liquids and attended to by a nurse. He was then taken to Lower Bucks Hospital where he was treated for dehydration. He was later released Tuesday afternoon to his parents.

The boy was inside the van for approximately three hours, according to officials. At the time, temperatures reached the low 80’s in the area. Officials have not yet revealed how hot it was inside the van when the boy was found however.

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The driver, who was employed by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU), was suspended from her job without pay, pending termination proceedings. A spokesperson for the BCIU says the driver did not follow proper protocol during the incident.

“The safety of the children in our care is of the utmost concern and focus of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit,” said BCIU Strategic Services Director JoAnn Perotti in a released statement. “All BCIU drivers are instructed to check the vehicle after all students are dropped off at every location.   The Intermediate Unit does not tolerate conduct inconsistent with this policy and our core values which stress safety for all children.  All Bucks County Intermediate Unit employees must follow through on their critical responsibility; follow IU policy or face disciplinary action.”

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Artifacts detailing over 5,000 years of Philadelphia history have been buried beneath Interstate 95 and the Girard Avenue Interchange. Some of these relics are now unearthed and will be on display at a free event this Thursday.

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In the midst of mourning four small children who perished in a massive July 5 fire on the 6500 block of Gesner Street and protests laden with distrust of the Philadelphia Fire Department's response time, compassion from strangers has blossomed as two Liberian families prepare to bury their children.

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Funeral director and East Oak Lane resident Patricia Quinn has a heartfelt desire to eliminate the families’ funeral costs. Her compassion has ignited a chain reaction among others who have also stepped up to the plate.

This week, Quinn hand-delivered and donated the 24-inch white infant casket that will carry the tiny remains of 7-week-old Taj Jacque to the Turay Memorial Chapel. She also donated the 54-inch white metal child coffins for 4-year-old twins Maria and Marialla Bowah and 4-year-old Patrick Sanyeah.

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"It’s very sad, but I’m glad to know that I can at least help out and ease their financial burden so they can get on with their life as best they can. Pretty much all the funeral expenses have been covered," said Quinn of Guckin Funeral Mansion.

The dainty child caskets are accented with angels and gold handles and the infant casket is adorned with cherry wood handles and gold tips. Quinn and funeral director Antoine Turay gently arranged the four small coffins inside the North Philadelphia funeral chapel on Wednesday. 

They are hoping their acts of kindness will help bring the city together in the wake of the tragedy, particularly after a protest days after the fire resulted in at least three people being arrested.  

Quinn was able to provide the caskets through her organization, Final Farewell. Quinn started the nonprofit in 2005 to assist with child funeral costs for families who can't afford them and also for those who can.

She and Turay have coordinated efforts to cover the costs of burying the four Southwest Philadelphia children. Turay, who is from Sierra Leon, feels obliged to ensure there is no monetary cost passed onto the families. For him, it’s a matter of serving his community. 

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"No bones about it. We will definitely do what we have to do under the circumstances. If any donations come in, let it go to the families to rebuild," said Turay. "People are still displaced. The fire victims have a long way to go. Have a heart. We will work it out."

Turay estimates the discounted cost for funeral services and burials is $10,000.

The date and location for the funerals has not been set. The families are waiting for relatives to arrive and according to Turay, in Liberian and West African culture, it is not uncommon, when families are mourning for a funeral to take place 30 days after a death.

• Massive Fire Kills 4, Displaces 42

He expects the services to be “spiritual and filled with emotion.”

The two Philadelphia natives have been reaching out to vendors and local funeral directors to donate their services, and many have answered the call.

A Catholic priest worked to arrange for the burial plots, a Baptist church has come forward to donate their sanctuary, and Wood Funeral Home, Savin Louis E & William W Funeral Home and John F. Givnish Funeral Home have donated services to date. The dogooders came forward after a chaplain reached out to Quinn to inform her of the Gesner tragedy. 

"We are in a position to do it. It's a tragedy you want to make easier and not worse," said John Givnish. "Trish rounds everybody up. We are paying it forward and in a position to help."

Nearly two weeks ago, Dewen "Marie" Bowah was home with her five children and babysitting two the two boys when a fire broke out about 2:30 a.m. Bowah was able to help her three oldest children escape through a second floor window, which she also used to get out of the house alive. She was not able to reach the youngest kids who were sleeping in a separate room where they perished.

Quinn has assisted in hundreds of child funerals around the United States including funerals for the six victims of a 2008 fire that also impacted the Liberian community in Philadelphia.

"Too many to count," Quinn said.

Right before dropping off Jacque's infant coffin, she met a Lancaster County funeral director to deliver another child casket for a 5-year-old boy who was killed after his father accidentally ran over him.

"Children die every day just like adults and unfortunately they all don't make the news. That's why I do it," Quinn said.
 Pictured: Quinn, Turay and Mikel Burrel with the child caskets. 

Contact Sarah Glover at 610-668-5580, sarah.glover@nbcuni.com or follow @skyphoto on Twitter.

A daughter is searching for answers after she discovered her parents dead in their long-time Philadelphia home early Thursday morning.

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Authorities responded to reports of a woman screaming on the 2500 block of North Spangler Street in the Strawberry Mansion section of the city around 1 a.m. The 39-year-old woman found the lifeless bodies of her 66-year-old mother and 79-year-old father, according to police.

Family members identified the couple as Algladis and Rufus Perry, who are the Aunt and Uncle of the Philadelphia Streets Department's Deputy Commissioner -- Donald Carlton.

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Officials said there are no wounds on either body, making the cause of death a mystery to both investigators and relatives.

"Right now, they've ruled out carbon monoxide," said Carlton, the victims' nephew. "They haven't labeled it a homicide yet, but details are still sketchy."

The Perrys had lived in their redbrick rowhome for more than 40 years, Carlton added.

An investigtion is underway, but the couple were hoarders, which may complicate matters.

Stay with NBC10 for more on this developing story.

Two men are in critical condition after multiple shots were fired in two separate incidents only moments apart in Philadelphia early Thursday morning.

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A bullet struck an 18-year-old man in the chest just after midnight near the intersection of North 27th and West Stiles streets in the city's Brewerytown neighborhood, according to authorities.

The victim stumbled down Stiles Street to the corner of 28th Street, where police say they found him.

He was transported to Hahnemann University Hospital, where he is in extremely critical condition.

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Investigators recovered six shell casings and a revolver on 27th Street.

About 3.5 miles away, a 46-year-old man was shot in the stomach around midnight near the intersection of North 7th and West Schiller streets in the Hunting Park section of the city, according to police.

The victim was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he is in critical but stable condition, officials said.

No arrests have been made in either incident.

Ten burglaries and attempted burglaries occurred within the last two weeks, putting neighbors along the Main Line on high alert.

Seven homes were hit with burglaries or attempted burglaries within 48 hours last week and, since then, three more burglaries and attempted burglaries were reported within Haverford Township.

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A man who lives on the 2700 block of Haverford Road noticed the window screen to his home was left open around 7:30 a.m. Friday morning, but no one got into the house, according to police. The next day, another resident along the 800 block of Biddle Street found their back basement door open, according to authorities. A few of their items, including a pair of sneakers, were stolen.  

Officials say a thief stole $80 from a home on the 700 block of Lorraine Ave July 7 and burglars also hit homes on the 600 block of Lakeside Avenue, 1500 block of Delmont Avenue, 2500 block of Bryn Mawr Ave, and 600 block of Wynnewood Road.

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All of the incidents occurred during the early morning between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

One of the victims, who didn't want to be identified, awoke to a frightening display left by thieves.

“I got to the other room and I had noticed drawers were open and things were thrown on the floor, the thieves were looking for quick money and valuables," he said. "Knives that are normally in a butcher block were pulled out sitting in places I would have never left them."

Another victim also reported an odd knife display left behind by burglars.  

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Petro Horyn told NBC10 thieves tried to break into his Haveford Township home through his basement window on July 8, but took off when a downstairs tenant was jolted awoke by the noise.

Residents claim that they have never felt unsafe in the area, but due to the sudden spike in burglaries they have decided to take new precautions.

“We went out and got keys made for the doors," said Kathie Datki, a neighbor who is not a burglarly victim. "My daughter is locking her doors, we’re looking our doors, we have to change the way we live."

Police are not sure if the incidents are related. An investigation is underway.

No arrests have been made.

Police in Bucks County say multiple cars were on fire at a SEPTA regional rail station in Bucks County, Pa. Thursday morning.

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The car fire reportedly started in the parking lot of the Bristol train station located at 790 Washington Street. The fire then spread to multiple other vehicles parked on the northbound side of the station.

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SEPTA's Trenton regional rail train line operates through this station.

No injuries have been reported.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

A Chester County house collapsed Thursday afternoon.

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Initial reports indicate emergency personnel responded to reports of a fire at a home near the intersection of Pennrose Lane and Walnut Street in Coatesville around 11:30 am.

It has since been confirmed officials were disptached to the area for an explosion.

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Photos shared on social media show what remains of the two-story home.

A family of four lives at the home, but no one was there at the time of the explosion, according to officials.

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Water, gas and electric crews were working in the area before the blast, according to the Daily Local.

PECO is working with investigators.