Two Arrested After Parking Lot Theft Spree at Philadelphia Casinos Nets Stolen Guns

Two men face criminal charges after allegedly targeting Philadelphia casino parking lots in a 20-vehicle theft spree.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday alleges that Darnell Martin, 33, and Eric Blackwell, 29, went on a brazen crime spree in June that targeted parked vehicles at Philly casinos.

Sunday says surveillance video captured Martin and Blackwell breaking into parked vehicles and stealing an array of items, including two firearms, personal checks, debit and credit cards, and clothing.

Philadelphia has two casinos within its city limits, with Rivers Casino Philadelphia in the Fishtown neighborhood and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia in the Stadium District.

Lock Your Vehicles

Sunday says the vehicles that Martin and Blackwell allegedly broke into were left unlocked while their owners gambled inside the casino. Calling the crime spree a “stark reminder” to lock your vehicle, Sunday said it’s critical that a person locks their car when they have firearms and other valuables inside.

This case comes down to common sense — there really is no good reason to leave your vehicle unlocked. Gun owners, particularly, should be vigilant and know that weapons are valuable to thieves.”

Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday

“Stolen firearms present a direct threat to the public, as those guns often end up at the scene of violent crimes or in the hands of someone prohibited from legal possession,” the attorney general continued.

Sunday says the arrests of Martin and Blackwell led to many of the stolen items being recovered. However, the two stolen firearms have not been located.

The two men have been charged with felony counts of theft and illegal possession of firearms. The charges come with the possibility of prison time and substantial fines.

Blackwell has a lengthy rap sheet, including a 2023 conviction for carrying a firearm in public. Martin also has previous criminal convictions, including numerous cases for burglary and the possession of a prohibited firearm.

Casino Surveillance Assists in Investigation

Sunday said the casinos assisted in the law enforcement investigation of the parking lot thefts, which was conducted by the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department. Sunday detailed that the casinos’ exterior surveillance cameras captured Martin and Blackwell in the act, with Martin entering the vehicles and Blackwell serving as a “lookout.”

“Investigators determined Martin had frequented casinos regularly to check for unlocked vehicles in parking lots,” the Pennsylvania AG said.

Fishtown and the Stadium District are generally considered rather safe areas in Philadelphia, with crime statistics lower than in more dangerous parts.

However, Fishtown borders what’s considered North Philadelphia, home to the notoriously dangerous neighborhoods of Kensington, Fairhill, and Strawberry Mansion.