THE RUNDOWN:
This browser does not support the Video element.
1. Suspects used pepper spray in armed robbery of Philadelphia daycare, police say
PHILADELPHIA – Authorities are investigating an armed robbery at a Philadelphia daycare Friday where one of the suspects allegedly sprayed pepper spray into a room full of sleeping toddlers.
Officer from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the Munchkins to Masterminds Daycare on the 5400 block of Girard Avenue around 1:30 p.m. for reports of a robbery.
A law enforcement source told FOX 29 that three women banged on the door and one showed a gun. Once inside, authorities said they stole and iPad and sprayed pepper spray into a room of seven sleeping toddlers and two adult staff members.
Police said the building was immediately evacuated and closed for the rest of the day. Emergency medical responders were called to the school to evaluate the victims, police said. No serious injuries were reported.
No arrests were reported immediately following the incident.
One source told FOX 29 that the attack may have stemmed from a soured business deal.
2. EF-1 tornado touched down in Bucks County Thursday night, National Weather Service says
BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Bucks County Thursday night as a line of storms moved through the Delaware Valley.
Officials said the tornado graded an EF-1 with maximum winds up to 100 MPH. It dragged a 2-mile path across parts of Hilltown Township and Bedminster, according to the weather service.
A survey team was dispatched to Bedminster Township, near Perkasie, on Friday morning to survey damage that officials said was ‘most likely’ caused by a tornado. Forecasters later confirmed the minor tornado jockeyed between an EF-0 and EF-1 as it bounced across the town.
"It sounded like a train coming through," Morgan Dean told FOX 29. "We couldn't really see what happened it was so dark outside when I came out there were trees down."
Tornado warnings were issued for parts of Bucks County during the height of Thursday's storms. The system brought widespread Severe Thunderstorm Warnings that included powerful winds and heavy downpours.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the storm. The Pennsylvania State Police conducted a helicopter flyover to ensure that they didn't miss anyone in need of assistance.
3. School District of Philadelphia names Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. as next superintendent
PHILADELPHIA – After a search with several candidates, officials announced Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. as the next superintendent of Philadelphia schools.
Watlington serves as the Superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury Schools in North Carolina and has a well-rounded background in education that spans nearly 30 years.
According to the Philadelphia School District's website profile on Watlington, he has educational experience in instructional leadership, closing student achievement gaps, organizational efficiency, fiscal management and recruitment.
"The reception feels great," Watlington Sr. said. "I'm excited to be here in the School District of Philadelphia and I can't wait to hit the ground running."
He has served in several teaching positions including high school teacher, assistant principal and principal. As the Superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Watlington oversaw about 18,000 students across 33 schools.
The School District of Philadelphia has roughly 100k more students and a number of serious school building concerns including asbestos and lead in water. Watlington Sr. said he plans to use the next few months to listen and learn.
"Over the next few months, I'll be taking the time to do a listening/learning tour, I'll be partnered with Dr. Hite to full understand the depth of every issue," Watlington said. "We won't solve all those problems tomorrow, but we are going to address them with a sense of urgency."
Watlington Sr. will officially take over as the leader of Philadelphia's public schools in June.
4. Buddy the cat heading to foster care after ‘miraculous’ recovery from dog attack
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia cat is heading home from the vet on Friday after authorities say he was the victim of an intentional dog attack.
Officials are calling the recovery of Buddy the cat ‘miraculous’ as he heads to a foster home with a veterinarian where he’ll get continued care.
Last week, Buddy was on a front porch in Philadelphia’s Frankford neighborhood. Video of the incident showed two suspects, ages 17 and 12, walking by the porch with their dogs.
When the suspects spotted the car, authorities say they dropped the dogs’ leashes, allowing their lunging dogs to attack a defenseless Buddy. The two suspects watched from the sidewalk until a homeowner opened the front door, scaring them off.
Buddy suffered serious injuries in the attack and required constant monitoring at the Pennsylvania SPCA’s headquarters.
5. Public viewings held for Trooper Branden Sisca Friday
Pennsylvania State Trooper Branden T. Sisca was also the fire chief at Trappe Fire Company in Montgomery County.
NORRISTOWN – Public viewings were held Friday for Trooper Branden T. Sisca, one of two troopers killed by a suspected drunk driver on I-95 last week.
Two viewings were held at the Boyd-Horrrox-Givnish Funeral Home in Norristown from 12-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Saturday, a public funeral service will be held for Sisca at noon at Perkiomen Valley High School.
"It’s our worst nightmare, especially as commanders in the state police you're responsible for each of your men and women that work for you, and when you lose one like this it’s just devastating to everyone involved," Retired Pennsylvania State Trooper Joseph Altieri said.
Authorities say Sisca, 29, and Trooper Martin Mack III, 33, were assisting a man who was walking in the southbound lanes of I-95 early on the morning of March 21. The troopers were walking that man, later identified as Reyes Rivera Oliveras, back to their patrol vehicle when authorities say all three were struck by an SUV.
Sisca started his career as a state trooper last year and was recently named fire chief of the Trappe Fire Company in Montgomery County, where he had volunteered for more than a decade. He was recently married and a father-to-be.
Trooper Martin Mack was laid to rest during a funeral service on Thursday.
6. Mark D'Amico, accused GoFundMe scam ringleader, gets 27-month federal prison sentence
CAMDEN, N.J. – A New Jersey man who conspired with his then-girlfriend to cook up a feel-good story about a helpful homeless man and then used the lie to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations online was sentenced in federal court Friday to more than two years in prison.
Mark D’Amico will also have to serve three years probation once he completes his 27-month term. He also must pay restitution and undergo gambling, drug and mental health counseling.
Before being sentenced, D’Amico told U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman that he was a changed man, devoted to his family.
"The person that did the things that led us here no longer exists," D’Amico said.
He had pleaded guilty before Hillman in Camden in November to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. An indictment unsealed in January 2020 charged D’Amico with a total of 16 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering.
He had already pleaded guilty to charges in state court last year. His former girlfriend, Katelyn McClure, and homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. previously pleaded guilty to state and federal charges. Bobbitt was sentenced to five years’ probation on state charges in 2019. Both are scheduled to be sentenced on the federal charges this year.
The trio made up a story in late 2017 about Bobbitt giving $20 to help McClure when her car ran out of gas in Philadelphia, according to prosecutors. D’Amico and McClure solicited donations through GoFundMe, purportedly to help Bobbitt, and conducted newspaper and television interviews. Investigators said D’Amico was the plot’s ringleader.
More Headlines From FOX 29
- Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap
- NJ state bird is now the middle finger, governor says
- Jen Psaki reportedly set to leave White House for MSNBC gig in May
- House fire in Hellertown claims live of 2 young girls
- Volunteer PAL coach accused of raping 15-year-old girl
- Officer killed in Pennsylvania was 1 month from retirement
___
DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APP
SUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTube
FOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter