PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A couple who went out to dinner and drinks in Center City Sunday night were followed back home to South Jersey by two armed men, who then attacked and robbed them, police said.
The couple had dinner at Parc in Rittenhouse Square, then got drinks at the Ritz-Carlton along the Avenue of the Arts. During the 20-mile drive back to Washington Township, they apparently were not alone. They didn’t notice a car had followed them home.
“You just don’t realize it when you’re being followed,” victim Frank Manfredi told NBC10. “I’m gonna have my guard up now.”
Manfredi said two armed suspects approached him and his fiancee as they exited their car. The woman was held at gunpoint while Manfredi was pistol-whipped twice right outside their home.
“I had a gash on the top of my head,” he said. “I had blood running down my face. And he said, ‘Don’t you move. I’ll shoot you dead right here.’”
Manfredi said they stole his wallet and Rolex, valued at $30,000.
Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik said they have some strong leads as they search for the suspects.
“Our community is surrounded by license plate reader technology, so it collects data constantly,” he said.
The suspects’ car was seen going northbound on Route 42 immediately after the attack. The robbery was captured on neighborhood surveillance video. Investigators are also using video in Philadelphia to help them investigate.
Investigators believe the suspects planned to rob the couple after seeing them patronize at least one of the establishments in Center City. Washington Township police believe this was an isolated incident, but they still ask residents to stay alert.