Cops rearrest suspects in Leroy case

Crawford, Bandy jailed on to moreCrawford, Bandy jailed on to morerobbery charges. one from same night asCrawford, Bandy jailed on to morerobbery charges. one from same night asshooting at 40th and Locust streets The Philadelphia District Attorney's office yesterday charged Chris Crawford and Albert Bandy with two more robberies, including one committed the same night Crawford allegedly shot College senior Patrick Leroy. The two had already been charged with the aggravated assault and robbery of Leroy on September 25, but were recently released on bail. Philadelphia Police took Crawford back into custody and rearrested Bandy yesterday for allegedly robbing a University student at gunpoint at 46th and Baltimore streets on the same night Leroy was shot. The two were also charged with robbing a bar at 52nd and Girard streets, Chief of University Police Operations Maureen Rush said. The men were charged with two additional counts of aggravated assault and robbery for these incidents. As of late last night, bail had not been set for either suspect and both men remained in custody. The District Attorney's office requested a "high bail" for both suspects last night, Rush said. When setting bail levels, bail commissioners consider the type and number of charges, the suspect's propensity for violence and whether he lives out of state, she said. Crawford is a native of Wilmington, Del. Bandy lives in West Philadelphia. Philadelphia and University Police are continuing their investigation into Crawford and Bandy and are considering arresting them a third time for other robberies, Rush said. Earlier yesterday, a Municipal Court judge ruled there was enough evidence against Bandy to warrant a trial for aggravated assault and robbery in connection with Leroy's shooting, Assistant District Attorney Jodi Lobel said. At the preliminary hearing, a Philadelphia Police detective read Bandy's sworn statement that he and Crawford intended to rob Leroy and his two companions on the night of the shooting. The detective also testified at Crawford's preliminary hearing last week, where a Municipal Court judge ruled that Crawford would go to trial for Leroy's shooting. Crawford was carrying 24 vials of crack cocaine when police arrested him for the shooting on September 27, Rush said, leading her to speculate that the robberies he committed were supporting a drug habit. Rush said police have now made arrests in at least 20 of the more than 30 robberies committed near campus in September. Crawford had been out on bail since September 27. Bandy has not posted the bail set for him in connection with Leroy's shooting and was already in custody when police rearrested him yesterday. Crawford will be formally arraigned on October 24, and Bandy on October 28, Lobel said. At the formal arraignment for each suspect, a judge will set a trial date and lawyers from the defense and prosecution will exchange information about the trial.