PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia police are searching for a pair of suspects for several violent robberies in or near parking lots in Center City.
Investigators with Central Detectives are putting out a warning to residents.
“It would appear that these offenders were specifically targeting males of Asian descent, which would make this a hate crime. When we catch these individuals, they will also be charged with ethnic intimidation, along with robbery and related offenses,” said Capt. Jason Smith.
Two of the violent beatings targeting Asian males happened on June 14 and another on June 16.
“It would appear through the surveillance video we discovered that there were other persons of Asian descent that these individuals were approaching. It wasn’t just these three individuals – there were other persons that we believe they were going to attempt to rob,” said Capt. Smith.
Surveillance images of the suspects were released by police on Thursday.
The first incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on the 900 block of Cherry Street on June 14.
Police say the 62-year-old victim had parked his car and paid at the booth when the suspects approached and demanded his wallet.
When the victim tried to flee, he was attacked. One of the suspects punched the victim in the head and face, causing him to fall down.
Once on the ground, the suspects continued to punch and kick him. They took his wallet and fled the area.
Then, at 10:30 p.m. that night, a 27-year-old man was walking by a parking lot on the 800 block of Arch Street when a man approached him and asked for his wallet.
That’s when he was tackled from behind by a second suspect. As he was on the ground, the suspects took his wallet and AirPods before punching him in the face and taking off.
Then, at 9:30 p.m. on June 16, a 16-year-old boy was walking in the parking lot on the 100 block of N. 9th Street when two suspects approached wearing all-black clothing and masks.
They asked him for money and, when he refused, the suspects tried to grab his phone. The teen was able to hold onto the phone as the suspects began punching him in the head.
One of the suspects threw him to the ground and began kicking him. Five dollars fell out of the teen’s pocket, police say. The suspects grabbed the money and fled.
Kevin Zhou owns a restaurant on Cherry Street where one of the crimes occurred.
“I want to stay at home at night, no going out at night. I’m not feeling safe out here,” he said.
Police say all of the victims were alone at the time. They encourage the community to be vigilant and always aware of their surroundings.
Anyone with information can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.