By Joseph A. Slobodzian
The Philadelphia Inquirer
PHILADELPHIA — Though sought as the alleged accomplice of Rafael Jones — charged Friday with killing Philadelphia Police Officer Moses Walker Jr. — Chancier McFarland is being held on charges that he was part of a group of violent armed robbers who victimized several groceries early last year in the same part of North Philadelphia where Walker was shot to death.
The teenage robbers were known for pistol-whipping their victims before taking cellphones, cash, and identification cards, according to Philadelphia court records.
McFarland, 19, of North 23d Street near Master Street in North Philadelphia, surrendered to the FBI on Sunday in Montgomery, Ala. He awaits extradition to Pennsylvania.
Tasha Jamerson, spokeswoman for District Attorney Seth Williams, said the charges against McFarland involve robberies first linked to Everett Munroe, 18.
Munroe, who was 17 when the robberies took place, pleaded guilty in December in Common Pleas Court and was sentenced to 81/2 to 17 years in prison. Munroe is serving his sentence in the state prison at Pine Grove in Western Pennsylvania.
According to court records, Munroe, of the 1300 block of West Spencer Street in Fern Rock, was arrested July 27, 2011, several weeks after being brought in for questioning in the armed robberies.
Among the robberies in which Munroe was charged:
Feb. 18, 2011: Several armed men approached a pedestrian near 17th and Diamond Streets, hit him in the head with a pistol, and took his cellphone, $41, his keys and wallet.
Feb. 19, 2011: Three pedestrians in the 2100 block of North 17th Street were confronted by three armed males who robbed them of property valued at $2,000.
Feb. 26, 2011: Several hooded and armed men entered the Rodriguez Grocery Store, 1140 W. Somerset St., at 8:50 p.m. and robbed two people, stealing a 9mm pistol and $1,200 from the register.
Feb. 28, 2011: Four hooded males, two armed with handguns, entered Torres Mini Market at 1213 W. Diamond St. at 9:03 p.m., confronted the owner, and pistol-whipped his son before taking $900 from the register and their cellphones.
Feb. 28, 2011: Four hooded males, two with guns, entered Paulino Grocery Store, 2201 W. Oxford St., at 9:45 p.m. and robbed and pistol-whipped one person.
Although court records say Munroe had several accomplices, they are not named.
Other than being accused as Jones’ accomplice in the Walker slaying - and now Munroe’s accomplice in last year’s armed robberies - McFarland’s criminal record is sparse.
McFarland had his first adult arrest on April 19 when he was charged with conspiracy to manufacture and deliver drugs, a case set for trial in Municipal Court on Sept. 7.
McFarland was also arrested May 8 for possessing a small amount of marijuana, but the case was disposed of in a diversion program.
Walker, 40, was fatally shot Aug. 18 about 6 a.m. when confronted by two robbers on Cecil B. Moore Avenue near 20th Street as he walked home from his shift as a turnkey officer in the 22d District.
Jones, 23, has been charged as the man who shot Walker. He is being held without bail and faces a preliminary hearing on Sept. 12 in Municipal Court.
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