Two 19-year-olds charged in seven Philadelphia robberies

Kyreme Hunter and Jaiden Bethea each face seven counts of robbery, along with assault, conspiracy, firearms and related charges. Police said the early-morning robberies took place in Center City and other Philadelphia neighborhoods, targeting people carrying bags and other belongings. No serious injuries were reported.

Investigators said surveillance video captured several incidents, including one outside the Four Seasons hotel on Arch Street. A person awaiting transportation was pushed to the ground and robbed while a weapon’s flashlight and blue laser were directed at him. Police Capt. Jason Smith said officers believe the same two men were responsible for all seven robberies, which appeared to be crimes of opportunity.

Police said a stolen Honda Accord helped lead investigators to the suspects. Hunter was arrested at a home in East Mount Airy on Tuesday; Bethea was arrested at a North Philadelphia home on Wednesday. Officers recovered two loaded 9mm firearms there: one with an obliterated serial number and a blue laser attachment, and a ghost gun. Police also found more than $11,000 in cash and a vehicle key-fob programming device.

The men are being held on $1.05 million bail and are expected in court next month. Police said the cases are not believed to be linked to a separate series of Center City robberies involving AR-style rifles in August.