Marcus Armstrong, 35, of Norristown (Courtesy of Norristown Police Department)
A 35-year-old Norristown man arrested on burglary and robbery offenses was stabbed with a samurai sword Tuesday, the Norristown Police Department said.
After several law enforcement and first responders were dispatched to the Tuesday morning incident for reports of an armed robbery, officers discovered the sword coated in blood.
When asked about the case, Norristown Police Detective Joshua Samuels said he’s responded to “plenty of armed robberies. Someone that defends themselves with the samurai sword I’ve never seen before.”
Marcus Armstrong was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, where he underwent surgery for the stab wounds sustained during the Tuesday morning incident, according to Samuels and fellow Norristown Police Department Detective Stephen Sowell. Information on Armstrong’s condition was not available.
The incident originated earlier that day when reports of a home invasion had police dispatched around 8:45 a.m. to the unit block of East Blackberry Avenue. An officer heard “police radio traffic of a stabbing victim at a nearby residence” along the 600 block of Cherry Street, municipal officials said in a statement, as the suspect, later identified as Armstrong, allegedly “fled from the East Blackberry residence up Cherry Street.” Officers later observed “a blood trail from the robbery scene” to Church Street, officials said.
Initial investigation findings revealed “an armed robbery that is associated with the same suspect,” Samuels said. Sowell added that reports indicated the suspect had a “semi-automatic 9mm style handgun,” but it was later found to be a “BB gun.”
“Our suspect had a gun. He broke into the house. They fled into a bedroom. When he went to break into the bedroom, an individual in [the] bedroom had a samurai sword,” Sowell said.
Police said the suspect had initially witnessed that “one individual was outside handing money to a female.” Sowell did note there were four victims involved in the Tuesday morning incident.
“So we have our two robbery victims. When he ran into the house, there was another individual who was on the third floor, who just was in his room,” Sowell said. “The female ran in his room for safety. He attempted to barricade the door, [the] … suspect, then forced his way in there. Once he was cut with a sword, he … kicked in the door to a separate residence,” Sowell said.
While none of the victims sustained any physical injuries, investigators underscored they were “shaken up” by the incident. Police also found one of the victim’s wallets and about $200, Samuels said, but “right now everything’s soaked in blood. It’s evidence of the crime.”
The incident remains an active investigation, according to municipal officials. Armstrong has not yet been arraigned, but is facing charges of burglary and robbery.
“We’ve been getting a string of robberies about this time. So that kind of fits the MO we’ve been dealing with over the past few weeks at this point,” Samuels said.
There were not many people on the streets when the Tuesday morning incident occurred, but police detectives still urged caution from area residents and visitors.
“Be vigilant. Always be aware of your surroundings. If something feels off, it probably is,” Sowell said.
