The Philadelphia social media influencer was arrested as he live-streamed the violence of Tuesday night’s robbery holding back tears as he was charged with six felonies.
Dayjia Blackwell, better known as “Meatball,” shared a first-hand view of the rampage, where robbers targeted several businesses including Apple, Foot Locker and Lululemon, before being caught.
In a video posted to his Instagram Stories, Blackwell can be heard laughing and cheering on other robbers as he stands and watches the chaos unfold.
At one point during his stream, Blackwell turned to face his camera and challenged the police to arrest him.
“Tell the police they’re either going to lock me up tonight, or it’s going to be lit, it’s going to be a movie,” he said at one point.
“This is what happens when we don’t get justice in this city,” he shouted as he joined a group of young people in the street.
Blackwell’s video shows a mob of robbers rushing into an Apple store and making off with iPhones and tablets.
“Free iPhones! Free iPhone,” Blackwell shouted.
Dayjia Blackwell, better known as “Meatball,” is seen crying in her mugshot. The Philadelphia police department In a video posted to his Instagram Stories, Blackwell can be heard laughing and cheering on other robbers as he stands and watches the chaos unfold.Instagram / @dayjiamainpage
Police used Blackwell’s social media posts and other alleged robbers to pinpoint their exact location amid the chaos, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
On Wednesday, “Meatball” was handed eight separate charges including six felonies stemming from his involvement in the robbery, according to court documents seen by The Post.
Blackwell is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, conspiracy, criminal riot, riot with intent to commit a crime and criminal use of a communication facility.
Police also issued two misdemeanors to the influence — receiving stolen property and physically dangerous/offensive.
At one point during his stream, Blackwell turned to face his camera and challenged the police to arrest him. Instagram / @dayjiamainpage Blackwell’s video shows a mob of robbers rushing into an Apple store and making off with iPhones and tablets. Instagram / @dayjiamainpagePolice used social media posts of Blackwell and other alleged thieves to pinpoint their exact location amid the chaos, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.Instagram / @dayjiamainpage
Blackwell’s bail was set at $25,000, which was posted early Thursday, according to documents.
Following a spate of robberies in and around the City Center neighborhood, Philadelphia police increased security around the city Wednesday night.
But that doesn’t stop some from causing more mayhem.
Several stores were hit including a liquor store, according to footage captured by NBC Philadelphia, and a Wells Fargo drive-thru ATM machine that was stolen.
On Wednesday, “Meatball” was handed eight separate charges including six felonies stemming from his involvement in the robbery.Instagram / @dayjiamainpage Following a spate of robberies in and around the City Center neighborhood, Philadelphia police increased security around the city Wednesday night. .Instagram / @dayjiamainpage
In total, at least 52 people have been arrested over the past two days for being involved in robberies.
Interim Police Chief John Stanford told the outlet that the robbery was carried out by “opportunists” who took advantage of the anger over the verdict in the Eddie Irizarry case.
Thousands of people took to the streets on Tuesday afternoon to protest Municipal Judge Wendy Pew’s decision to dismiss all charges, including murder and manslaughter, against police officer Mark Dial, who fatally shot Irizarry through a car window during an August traffic stop.
The protest ended at around 7:30pm on Tuesday, just before the city went into a frenzy as the unruly mob overpowered security and police officers to search shops.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
