The Philadelphia Police Department needs the public’s assistance in locating/identifying the male depicted below.
On Tuesday, January 8, 2019, the below offender entered Mastery Charter John Wister Elementary School (Unit block of E. Bringhurst Street), approached school personnel, and asked to take two students (8-year-old male and 10-year-old female) out of the school. The offender asked for the students by name. School personnel asked the offender for identification, at which point the male appeared to either place or receive a call on his cell phone, then exited the school without further incident.
School personnel state that the only people listed on the students’ dismissal plan as having permission to remove the students from the school are their parents. The assigned Special Victims Unit investigator spoke with the parents, who stated that they gave no one permission to remove their children from the school on that date.
The parents, as well as the children, had an opportunity to view photos of the offender, and did not recognize him.
Suspect Description: Black male, late 50 to early 60 years-of-age, wearing a white tee shirt, light colored pants, baseball cap with “VIETNAM” on the front, glasses, and a dark colored jacket.
If you see this suspect do not approach, contact 911 immediately.
To submit a tip via telephone, dial 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.
All tips will be confidential.
If you have any information about this crime or this suspect, please contact:
Special Victims Unit:
215-685-3251/3252
DC 19-14-003153
