Police Detail Copper Thefts from Bunting House Properties
Fences erected around 5901 Ridge Ave. to deter further crime.
Philadelphia Police said three Roxborough properties—including two next to the Bunting House—were burglarized in late October with nearly $100,000 in copper piping and appliances taken.
Property owners recently erected fencing around 5901-09 Ridge Ave.—including the historical Bunting Home, currently subject of a battle to preserve it—and attributed copper thefts, Roxborough officials said. All four properties have received city demolition permits.
Police records now indicate how much damage occurred to two properties on that block, in addition to a third Roxborough home.
According to police records, the two properties next to the stately Victorian—5905 and 5907 Ridge Ave.—were broken into sometime between Oct. 2 and Oct. 23. The Bunting House itself was not listed on the police report.
At noon on the latter day, police responded to a burglary call at the properties. Police said that at 5905 Ridge Ave., someone broke into the first-floor bathroom and took a washing machine, dryer and copper piping from inside the building.
Owners valued the damage at $30,000.
Additionally, 5907 Ridge Ave. experienced $60,000 in thefts. Police said electrical wires, copper pipes, landscaping bricks and four stainless steel sinks were stolen.
Later that week, Oct. 26, 145 Leverington Ave. was similarly burglarized.
The property owner told police that between Oct. 6 and Oct. 26, someone broke into the rear door and took copper piping from the basement—worth $5,000. According to police, the property has been on the market for one year.
Police did not disclose any information on potential subjects.
Joey "truth" Hertz
6:56 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
There is exactly zero chance the financial value placed on those thefts is true to nature and not instead overvalued for insurance claims.
Debbie Thomas
8:16 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wonder if it was people from the neighborhood or someone who read about the properties on various websites who did the burglarizing.
Tom "forgot my original password" Bellin
2:53 am on Friday, November 9, 2012
it could well have been the owners themselves that want to raze the properties, but are being fought by those that want to "save" it. With the damage done, the process to "save" it becomes more burdensome and easier to prove that it's not worth saving, thus getting the raze they desire.
krautmef
9:08 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Yes Tom, that would be correct, why can't the police figure that out? This happened right at rox and ridge, where were philly's finest? This is a main intersection, what the heck.
Tom "forgot my original password" Bellin
2:54 am on Friday, November 9, 2012
in additon: much like what I can swear happened to the old manayunk club.