Victim in Violent Robbery String Arrested (NBC Philadelphia)

Victim in Violent Robbery String Arrested
Store owner arrested on immigration charges
By VINCE LATTANZIO
Updated 9:31 PM EDT, Thu, Jul 22, 2010

Weeks after fighting off a gunman inside his Northeast Philadelphia store, a victim of a string of robberies has found himself behind bars.

Tian Chang Lin was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials earlier this week, officials say.

NBC Philadelphia told you about the plight of Lin and his family Wednesday after they endured a third hold up inside their store in as many months.

Lin's daughter Sharon said the family was living in fear after the series of robberies -- the most recent of which involved her mother on Saturday.

In broad daylight, the robbery suspect bursts into the Grace Dollar Store located along the 6900 block of Buselton Avenue, brandishes a gun and demands money. He's made off with $600 cash so far, police say.

"We’re still worrying are they going to come again. We can’t do anything about it," Sharon said.

The timing of Tian Lin's arrest was circumspect for some after Mayor Nutter announced last Friday Philadelphia Police would no longer report the names of victims of crimes to ICE.

ICE officials describe Lin as a "fugitive illegal alien" who has been wanted since April 2010.

ICE official Mark Medvesky says Lin was scheduled to be arrested on July 13 and wasn't picked up until this week. He said Philadelphia Police played no role in the arrest.

The robber is still on the loose. Anyone who may recognize the man is asked to call Philadelphia Police at 215.686.3153.