Trio With 'Hello Kitty' License Plate Rob Easton Man, Police Say

Easton police say a city man was robbed and assaulted Sunday night by three men driving a car with a "Hello Kitty" license plate.

And police say all three men were caught a few hours after the robbery thanks to the efforts of an off-duty detective working with Wilson police.

According to police, the man was robbed around 6:40 p.m. at the convenience store at 13th and Northampton streets. Police say the men punched the victim and stole $480 in cash and a cellphone.

Police say the man was able to describe the robbers' car -- a black Ford Focus with a "Hello Kitty" license plate.

A few hours later, Det. Christopher Miller—aware of the robbery from his shift earlier that day—spotted the car and followed it into Wilson and pulled it over with the help of Wilson police.

Three men were taken into custody, arraigned before on-call District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzalez in Bethlehem and sent to Northampton County Prison:

• Justin Phipps, Easton, charged with robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance. He was sent to prison in lieu of $75,000 bail. Police say Phipps had a glassine baggy containing two acetaminophen & oxycodone pills, a schedule II narcotic, "secreted" in his rectum. He allegedly had no prescription for the drugs.
• Kasim Ramsey, Brooklyn, charged with robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault and possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was sent to prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.
• Anthony Moore, Brooklyn, charged with robbery, theft, receiving stolen property.