Published on Dec. 8 | Updated on Dec. 15
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the killing of a 93-year-old military veteran in North Philadelphia nearly two weeks ago.
Around 3 p.m. on Dec. 5, Lafeyette Dailey, 93, was found dead on the second floor of his home, located along 16th Street, about a block from Stenton Park. He had lacerations on both his head and chest.
Investigators said his wallet, keys and car were missing. They released a picture of the white 2007 Chrysler 300, with the license plate GRJ-5294, which has since been located.
Coy Thomas, 53, was arrested Sunday, Dec. 14, and faces charges including homicide, robbery, possession of an instrument of crime, and related offenses.
“We were able to recover that car, and some of the other items were used, like credit cards, and we were able to gather evidence from those interactions from other people, and we were able to identify the offender in this case, along with evidence we got from inside the house,” said Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore.
Thomas' last known address was in Germantown, along Ashmead Place. Thomas does have a record, which includes forgery, drug and assault convictions.
Vanore said both the victim and suspect were well-known in the community and had known each other for some time.
“So at some point, we think that Mr. Thomas went in, in an effort to take items from the victim,” he said. “There was some kind of struggle, and he was ultimately stabbed and later pronounced at that location.”
Police are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Homicide Unit.