Imhotep football star Isheem Young arrested for robbing Wawa in July, missed state playoff game
A court official said the 18-year-old was arraigned late Friday night on counts of robbery, conspiracy, firearms violations and related offenses. Bail was Young was set at $150,000, and it was not immediately clear whether he made bail.
Imhotep Charter football star Isheem Young has been charged with robbing a Wawa in South Philadelphia with two accomplices in July.
A court official said the 18-year-old was arraigned late Friday night on counts of robbery, conspiracy, firearms violations and related offenses. Bail was set at $150,000, and it was not immediately clear whether he made bail.
Young was arrested around 1:40 a.m. Friday at his apartment in the 1600 block of Mount Vernon Street and has been cooperating with police, the official said.
Young was represented by a public defender but will be retaining private counsel.
A police report alleged that Young, armed with a black revolver, robbed the Wawa at 1602 Christopher Columbus Blvd. on July 30 and took $13,600 in cash from the store's safe.
Young committed to Penn State less than two weeks before the incident.
Police said that Young — who was 17 at the time of the crime — was aided by his brother, who was the manager of the Wawa, and by a getaway driver.
Young, a standout senior running back and defensive back for Imhotep, had been expected to play in the Panthers'Class 4A state semifinal victory over Bethlehem Catholic Friday night. Last weekend, he scored two touchdowns, one on a 63-yard run, in a Panthers' victory in the state quarterfinals.
Young, who announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions in July through a Twitter video, was ranked the No. 6 recruit in the state and No. 170 in the country by ESPN. It was unclear Friday night whether Penn State was aware of the development.
In November, Young won the MVP award in the Panthers' Class 4A Public League championship game, finishing with 121 yards and two touchdowns against then-undefeated Bartram.
As a sophomore, Young carried 10 times for 99 yards and a first-quarter touchdown as Imhotep beat District 10's Erie Cathedral Prep, 40-3, in the 2015 PIAA Class 3A state championship game.
Young was also a star as a 15-year-old for East Germantown's Northwest Raiders in the Pop Warner youth league.
Former Imhotep coach Albie Crosby talked about Young and college recruiters in February 2016.
"I haven't hid from recruiters that he could be the best football player I've ever coached," Crosby said then. "Offensively, he is smooth. He sees it and hits it. There aren't a lot of moves. It's just one cut and go. If he has to make a move … he can shake you out of your shoes or he can run you over. "
As a freshman, Young's offensive skills earned a national spotlight after his four-touchdown, 158-yard rushing performance led the Northwest Raiders to their first Pop Warner National Super Bowl title.
Crosby was asked if all the attention was too much, too soon.
"I don't worry about him," Crosby said then. But he did express concern about outside influences.
"The group he has around him now is solid," Crosby said then. "That group has been a great influence, but I'm just a little concerned about people trying to get in his ear that are trying to get a gain for themselves and not a gain for him. "
Among Young's inner circle in 2016 were his mother, Nicole Hawkins; Cyril Woodland, who coached Young on the Northwest Raiders; and Cliff Puckett, who coached Young from 10 to 13 years old with the youth football CYA Gators.
Young said in February 2016 that his early success only served as extra motivation.
"I'm excited about the college scholarship offers, but I know more will come if I work even harder," he said then. "As of right now, it feels great. My grades are good, and I'm getting scholarships. Every day I'm happy."