Pair sought in 6 home-invasion heists

A pair of armed intruders robbed and terrified four people Thursday night in Northern Liberties, police said.

The home invasion was the sixth that has occurred in the area since Feb. 9.

All of the incidents appear to be the work of two masked thugs who apparently rely on an old ruse to get their victims to open the door to their homes.

"They ask if they can use [the victim's] phone and then force their way in from there," said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.

In the latest case, three women and one man had just entered a house on 4th Street near Wildey about 10:30 p.m. when they heard a knock at the door.

Two masked men were on the other side. They ran through their phone routine, but the woman "kind of recognizes what's going on and tries to close the door," Vanore said.

One of the creeps pulled out a handgun and forced his way into the home. All four of the occupants were forced to the ground and stripped of their wallets and cell phones, Vanore said.

At some point during the heist, one of the women tried to escape. The gunman "chased her and punched her in the head," Vanore said. "Fortunately, it appears she was not seriously injured."

In some of the previous incidents, the intruders tied or taped their victims' hands and feet, Vanore said. The thieves have also been known to take ATM cards and to demand their victims' passwords.

Based on surveillance footage from one ATM, police said, the crooks appear to be young black men who keep most of their faces obscured behind masks and knit hats.

Thus far, the intruders also have struck at 11th Street near Green on Feb. 9; American Street near Poplar on Feb. 14; Melon Terrace near Franklin on Feb. 18; Willow Street near 2nd on Feb. 20 and Lawrence Street near Poplar on Monday.

Tipsters can contact Central Detectives at 215-686-3093 or -3094.