Tenacious Police Work Nets Suspect In Multiple Armed Robberies In Northeast
by Alex Lloyd Gross
Philadelphia Police announced that Tyree Hatch of Large Street has been arrested in connection with three armed robberies in Northeast Philadelphia in the past few days. During one robbery, a clerk was shot once in the leg.
The gun was recovered. It was reported stolen from Bristol Township in July of this year. Hatch has a record and was known to police. As two officers from the 2nd District, started to take the reports of the robberies, they developed a suspect, officials said. Soon officers Norbert Eichler and Jude McKenna conducted a surveillance on his house after they spotted his vehicle.
More units were called and Hatch realized he could not escape, surrendered to police. During questioning, Hatch reportedly admitted to the robberies, police said.
The crimes in question are as follows, according to Philadelphia Police:
Incident One
On November 23, 2024, at approximately 1:00 PM, officers responded to a robbery at the Exotic Convenience Store located in the 6700 block of Castor Avenue. Upon arrival, the store employee reported that an unknown Black male entered the store, walked to the back, and, when approached, brandished a black handgun. The suspect forced the employee to the register and demanded money. Approximately $500 was taken before the offender fled in a black SUV, possibly a Jeep. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Incident Two
On Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 9:04 PM, officers responded to a shooting during a robbery at the Cloud Nine Smoke Shop located in the 2000 block of Cottman Avenue. The store employee suffered a gunshot wound to the left shin and was transported to Frankford Torresdale Hospital in stable condition. According to the victim, the suspect entered the store armed with a black-and-blue firearm and demanded money from the register. After taking approximately $400, the victim attempted to disarm the suspect and was shot during the struggle. The offender fled in what appeared to be a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Incident Three
On November 25, 2024, officers were dispatched to a robbery in progress at the Castor Smoke and Vape Shop in the 7100 block of Castor Avenue. The suspect, matching a similar description from prior incidents, was described as a Black male in his thirties, approximately 5’6” with a heavy build, bald, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, a black mask, and blue medical gloves. He fled the location with $600 in cash and a cell phone.
Hatch faces weapons and robbery charges in these incidents. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel was at the announcement today and personally thanked the officers. You can read the original story about the shooting and robbery here..