The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police hunting a group of robbers who wore identity-concealing garb resembling Islamic burqas raided a Philadelphia home and made at least one arrest Thursday.
The search turned up clothing, a gun and other items that police said they believe were linked to a series of holdups around the city.
One person, Angelika Jones, 19, was charged with robbery, aggravated assault and making threats in connection with two holdups of businesses near the University of Pennsylvania.
Police said they also had a second 19-year-old suspect in custody who may also face charges.
Within the past few months, robbers wearing face-covering veils and dark, flowing robes have held up more than 20 businesses and four banks throughout the city. Detectives are investigating whether the robberies were committed by the same people.
“These are very serious crimes where people were robbed at the point of a gun and some of the victims were tied up,” said Chief Mark Dorsey of the University of Pennsylvania Police Department, which was involved in the search.
Several of the robbed businesses were within a block or two of the West Philadelphia home that was the subject of Thursday’s search, police said.