Falls Township police have arrested one man after a nearly three-month-long investigation into a knifepoint robbery.
Joshua Kerner, 32, of Philadelphia, was charged this week with robbery, theft, possessing an instrument of crime, terroristic threats, receiving stolen property, simple assault and harassment. He was arraigned and sent to prison on 10 percent of $350,000 bail.
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Police say their initial investigation began back in mid-April when they were called to the scene of the Lakeview Terrace Apartment Complex around 2 a.m.. When police arrived, they were informed that Kerner, who the victim knew as ‘Dan Green’, had arrived with a friend and his friend’s girlfriend in a pickup truck. According to the probable cause affidavit, the three had met at the apartment complex to pick another friend up and then drive to a party.
According to court documents, when the truck arrived, Kerner met the man they were picking up in a friendly manner, outside the pickup truck on the passenger side of the vehicle. Moments later, the victim stated Kerner grabbed him from behind and placed a dark colored folding knife to the left side of his throat. Kerner reportedly said: “It’s nothing personal, I’m hungry and you’re a good dude.”
Kerner then held the man down, pushing his knee to the back of his head and removing $350 from the man’s wallet. He then ran back to the pickup truck apologizing and motioned for the driver to get out of the area. The man then drove down South Olds Boulevard towards Trenton Road, according to police documents.
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The driver said he was scared and at Kerner’s request, dropped him off along Trenton Road after the incident. He then returned to the scene of the crime to speak with police.
Kerner, who the victim identified as going by the nickname ‘Arkansas’ had been improperly identified by the wrong name by those who knew him, according to documents. Once the nickname was given to police, all three at the scene were able to positively identify Kerner as the actor of the crime.
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Kerner was identified ultimately by his tall stature and a word he had tattooed underneath his eye. Kerner also was located by police using the J-NET arrest database.
Kerner awaits a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 28 with District Judge Jan Vislosky.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
