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Police: Woman Attacked In Broad Daylight In Spring Garden

By Walt Hunter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police say a Spring Garden woman was knocked to the ground, robbed and sprayed in the face with Mace around 2:30 p.m. Thursday by teenagers who attacked her in the 1800 block of North Street.

Investigators believe the same group is responsible for as many as six assaults and robberies in the neighborhood since February 9th.

In each case, police say, the victim is ambushed by between two and four teenage robbers, punched, knocked to the ground and robbed of iPhones and other items.

This afternoon's attack is the first time the robbers used Mace.

As medics took the victim to the hospital for treatment, detectives looked for clues throughout the neighborhood, including possible surveillance video.

Philadelphia Police have previously released video of four persons of interest wanted for questioning in a February 20th beating and robbery of a 13-year-old boy near 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue.

Adding to concerns detectives say in two of the robberies the suspects showed what appeared to be weapons.

All but one of the ambush robberies happened in the mid to late afternoon hours.

Anyone with information should call Philadelphia Police at 215-546-TIPS.

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