PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police and local authorities are widening their search for accomplices of a carjacking ring after its accused leader was arrested and charged in connection to two deadly vehicle thefts.
The Philadelphia Police Department on Tuesday announced the arrest of 28-year-old Jonathan Akubu on charges of murder, aggravated assault, arson and carjacking.
Investigators linked Akubu to the Feb. 6 murder of George Briscella and the killing of 28-year-old Aiah Gbessay a week later.Through an ongoing thorough investigation, authorities said they have linked firearms found during a search of Akubu's Lansdowne apartment to the deadly carjackings and other gunpoint vehicle thefts dating back to January. "We think he’s responsible for a number more, we’re investigating that it’s hard to say exactly how high that number could go, but he is somebody that is clearly lead position for a significant number of carjackings," Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Ben Naish said.
A police source told FOX 29's Kelly Rule that Akubu could be linked to over 40 carjackings.Deputy Commissioner Ben Naish joins Good Day Philadelphia to discuss the carjacking task force created by the Philadelphia Police Department.Police in Milllbourne, Delaware County said a group of three men carjacked a person at gunpoint in early February and stole his wallet and phone.