One suspect was arrested on a roof after police responded early Saturday to a North 9th Street business.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia police searched Monday for five men accused of joining a gunpoint robbery and sexual assault inside a spa near Chinatown, where officers arrested one suspect after the group fled across a roof.
The case centers on a business in the 400 block of North 9th Street, near Chinatown and Spring Garden, where police said six young men forced their way inside at about 4:40 a.m. Saturday. Investigators said multiple victims were robbed and sexually assaulted. One suspect, Saidakhmad Bakiev, 18, of Northeast Philadelphia, was taken into custody. Five others remained at large Monday as police released images and asked the public to help identify them.
Police said the men entered the building before dawn Saturday and confronted people inside at gunpoint. The business was identified by signs at the scene as 9 VIP Spa. Investigators said the group took property valued at more than $2,000 before officers arrived. When police got to the building, the suspects fled upward and moved onto the roof. Officers caught Bakiev there as others escaped, according to police accounts of the response.
Bakiev was charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, rape, burglary, robbery, false imprisonment, sexual assault, indecent assault and related offenses. Police said he was one of six people involved in the attack. The five remaining suspects were described as young men in their late teens to early 20s, all with dark hair. Investigators said they may be of Russian or Central Asian descent. Police did not release the names of the victims, and officials did not say Monday whether any additional suspects had been identified.
The attack drew attention in a busy part of North Philadelphia where Chinatown, Callowhill and Spring Garden meet. The 400 block of North 9th Street sits near homes, small businesses and traffic moving between Center City and North Philadelphia. By Monday afternoon, the building was quiet, with metal grates and padlocks visible at entrances. Police released surveillance images as part of the search and said the investigation remained active.
Neighbors described hearing police activity around the time officers responded. One neighbor told 6abc the incident was “very unfortunate” and said it was sad that it happened there. Stephen Klingman, another neighbor, described “a lot of commotion” after the police response, with people outside talking and yelling. Other residents said they were familiar with late activity around the business, including taxis and rideshare vehicles stopping nearby.
Police said the next step is finding the five men who left the scene before officers could arrest them. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, witness accounts and evidence from the business. The charges against Bakiev mark the first criminal case to emerge from the incident, but police said the search for the other suspects is continuing. Court dates for Bakiev were not immediately detailed in initial reports.
The case remained open Monday evening, April 27, with five suspects still being sought and one suspect in custody. Police said more information could be released as investigators identify the remaining men and prepare additional charges.
Author note: Last updated Monday, April 27, 2026.