At least one report of an attempted abduction this week and several other suspicious incidents now being investigated by police in the Roxborough area.
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Residents in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia are on edge after at least one report of an attempted abduction this week and several other suspicious incidents now being investigated by police.
"It's scary, its scary to think you're in a good area, that things like this don't happen. Here it is at our doors," said grandmother Nancy Howard.
"It scares the living daylights out of me," said Dan McNally. "I just can't believe that this is the way the world has become."
As parents arrived to pick up their kids at Shawmont Elementary School, word was spreading that on Wednesday an eight-year-old girl playing in her front yard on the 7000 block of Voight Road reported that a man got out of a dark SUV and grabbed her arm. She pulled away and he said, "if you go inside I'm going to kill you."
The little girl told police the man had gray hair and a droopy eye. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit. She also gave investigators a partial license plate number.
"I'm thinking it's somebody local," Howard added. "Somebody from the area that we don't see him as harmful to the kids but it's very harmful."
"As a parent I'm very concerned, not just for my son, but for the other kids also," said Alan Caroll, who's son attends Shawmont Elementary.
On Thursday, letters went home from the school warning parents. Then several other reports surfaced. Four students told the school principal that a gray haired man with "funny eyes" waved at them at the corner of Ridge and Shawmont a block from the school. They saw the same man at a local supermarket parking lot a short time later. One other incident is being investigated by the Special Victims Unit.
"I want him put away because I don't want the kids to have to worry about going to school," one parent said.
"Now I'm just gonna be on the lookout," Caroll said. "Someone like that we need to get him off the street."
Police have not connected all of the incidents at this point. They do have several strong leads. The investigation continues.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:13:23 GMT
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:54:35 GMT
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
Monday, May 13 2013 7:02 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:02:49 GMT
She wanted to spend Mother's Day with her children and new granddaughter. Instead, she spent it at a hospital and on the couch after she says she was attacked near the Frankford Transportation Center.
She wanted to spend Mother's Day with her children and new granddaughter. Instead, she spent it at a hospital and on the couch after she says she was attacked near the Frankford Transportation Center.
Thursday, May 9 2013 5:09 PM EDT2013-05-09 21:09:22 GMT
Two-and-a-half years after she was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by her former boyfriend, Diane Corado's body has been found and positively identified.
Two-and-a-half years after she was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by her former boyfriend, Diane Corado's body has been found and positively identified.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:32:42 GMT
It was a gloomy Sunday as the whole area remain socked in with low clouds & fog, drizzle and scattered showers.
The weather remains unsettled through most of the work week. The difference is that it will really warm up -- temperatures soar into the 80s by Tuesday. That mild and humid air mass will fuel afternoon thunderstorms.
By Thursday a cold front moves by bringing more rain. It will also bring drier and cooler weather by Friday as we finally clear out.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:27:52 GMT
Pounding winds and violent surf from Hurricane Sandy left their mark on Ocean City, NJ. Beaches were washed out and there's concern about debris washing up. But Mayor Jay Gillian says no need to worry.
Mayor of Ocean City says no need to worry about debris filled beaches after Hurricane Sandy. He says plans have been taking place to make sure they're safe and clean.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:25:28 GMT
The Pennsylvania State Police are searching for 21-year-old Matthew Royer, who went missing after leaving his apartment at the University of Rhode Island. Police says Royer left his college apartment
The Pennsylvania State Police are searching for 21-year-old Matthew Royer, who went missing after leaving his apartment at the University of Rhode Island. Police says Royer left his college apartment
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:05:54 GMT
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:26:29 GMT
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:42:18 GMT
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:28:45 GMT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad today released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line, in the wake of the May 17 derailment
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad today released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line, in the wake of the May 17 derailment
Sunday, May 19 2013 4:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:05:22 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:37 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:37:14 GMT
Commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Metro-North commuter rail line crippled by a derailment and crash.
Commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Metro-North commuter rail line crippled by a derailment and crash.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:14:07 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:24 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:24:33 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
At least one report of an attempted abduction this week and several other suspicious incidents now being investigated by police in the Roxborough area.
