5th Police District issues neighborhood burglary alert

A trend in home burglaries this February has Manayunk and Roxborough residents on alert.

Within the last two weeks, a number of burglaries have been reported in the 5th District (see list at end of article). Officer Charlie Kline, community engagement officer, says the burglaries are occurring in homes, apartments and businesses throughout the area.

“It’s back door burglaries,” said Kline. “We’re seeing a little spike now, it happens – these spikes come and go.”

Many of the incidents reported resulted from unlocked back doors and garages. Philadelphia Police are advising people to keep all doors and windows locked and to contact police if they notice any suspicious persons in the area.

In one incident on the 500 block of Hermit St., the intruder removed an air conditioner from a side window and took one diamond antique watch, a wedding ring, and a collection of guns, all valued at $3,000.

Kline recommended precautions such as investing in an alarm system and checking that all entries to your home or business are stabilized and locked.

“You can play a radio during the day, things like that,” said Kline.

Kline could not comment on whether there had been an increase or decrease in police presence in the area.

A look at some of the recent burglaries reported:

Second week of February

Feb. 6: On the 600 block of Walnut Lane, an iPod Nano and a Tiffany bracelet valued at $300 was taken from an apartment whose rear door was left unlocked. 

Feb. 7: On the 500 block of Hermit St., one diamond antique watch, a wedding ring, and an array of guns valued at $3,000 was taken after the intruder removed an air conditioner from a side window.

Feb. 7: On the 200 block of Green Lane, two antique cast iron sinks and an antique cast iron tub valued at $800 was stolen.

Feb. 9: On the 6000 block of Ridge Ave., two bottles of prescription Hydrocodone (100MG), valued at $100, were stolen.

Third week of February

Feb. 13: On 7300 block of Ridge Ave., Tina’s Boutique had jewelry items valued at $5,000 stolen. 

Feb. 13: On 100 block of Pensdale St., one iPhone 4S, 1 Mac Book Pro Laptop and two Cannon cameras valued at $4,000 were taken after the intruder pushed down a third floor upper window.

Feb.14: On the 600 block of Green Ln. two end tables, two throw rugs and two boxes of decorations valued at $2,500 were taken after the intruder entered unlocked garage door.

Feb. 15: On the 4100 block of Manayunk Ave., an engagement ring valued at $15,000 and a Nikon D70 Camera valued at $400 were stolen from a home during the daytime upon entering through an unlocked side door.

Feb. 15: The Schuylkill Nature Center had $1,850 of supplies stolen, including two sleeping bags, five tents, one Coleman propane stove and four lanterns taken after a rear window of a storage shed was broken.

Feb 15: On 4000 block of Baker St., one Cannon Powershot Camera along with various guns and ammo valued at $4,500 were stolen.

Feb. 16: On 8000 block of Ridge Ave., guns and ammo stolen valued at $23,000 were stolen.

Feb. 16: On 600 block of Walnut Ln., two pieces of copper drain piping stolen, valued at $600.

Feb. 17:On the 100 block of Seville St., two iPod Touches were taken that are valued at $300. This happened while residents were asleep.