PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A man accused of committing three robberies at gun point in three consecutive days, all in the same Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood, is off the streets and in police custody, but not before a person was shot.
According to police, from Saturday through Monday, 47-year-old Tyree Hatch targeted three smoke shops, all within the same 1-mile stretch of Castor Avenue. The second robbery sent a man to the hospital, said Capt. James Kearney.
“There was a struggle that occurred over the gun, and one shot was fired, striking the employee in the left calf,” Kearney said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
That man was taken to a hospital nearby in stable condition, says Kearney. “But he’s out. He’s going to recover.”
Video: Three Northeast Philadelphia robberies
Hatch began his spree around 1 p.m. on Nov. 23, when police say he robbed Exotic Convenience Store, in the 6700 block of Castor Avenue, pulling a gun and forcing an employee to give him $500 out of the cash register before fleeing in a black SUV.
The next day, around 9 p.m., police say Hatch did the same thing at Cloud Nine Smoke Shop, in the 2000 block of Cottman Avenue, but the store employee tried to disarm him. During the struggle, Hatch shot the man in the leg and fled — this time with $400.
On the third day, when police say Hatch hit Castor Smoke and Vape Shop, in the 7100 block of Castor Avenue, officers were sent to the robbery still in progress. Hatch got away with $600 and a cell phone, but police were able to follow him to a house, where he barricaded himself inside.
When Hatch finally decided to leave the house and surrender, police took him into custody and recovered evidence from all three robberies.
“Two days away from Thanksgiving, we’re extremely thankful to get this guy off the street and into police custody,” Kearney said.
“He did go through the intake process and interrogation process, and he has admitted to all three robberies.”
Kearney said police recovered the stolen gun Hatch used, and some of the items he stole, including the cell phone and some vape accessories.
“We’ll take the wins when we can get them, and this is a win for us.”
Hatch is currently awaiting charges from the District Attorney’s Office.