Crime & Safety

Roxborough Police Beat: Dumb Crooks, Purse Snatching and Vehicle Break-Ins

We offer a glimpse into 5th Police District incidents from the latter part of February.

The following are a select list of incidents from the last half of February as provided by the Philadelphia Police Department’s 5th District, which covers Roxborough and Manayunk.

 

Caught in the Act

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A would-be thief didn’t get very far Feb. 13 at about 11:45 a.m. when police officers observed him emerging from a vehicle he had entered unlawfully, according to the police report. Officers watched as the crook exited the Jeep Wrangler, which had been parked along the 200 block of Fountain Street. Officers saw the man drop several tools before attempting to flee. The cops caught up with the suspect, who was found to be in possession of sewing scissors and other hand tools, the report stated. The suspect gained entry to the Jeep by cutting the vinyl window, according to the report. The suspect was charged with theft and transported to Northwest Detectives.

 

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Caught in the Act … Again

Police officers conducting surveillance on the 200 block of Green Lane discovered a man force open the door to a garage Feb. 15 at about 11:07 p.m., according to the police report. The two officers watched as the suspect entered the vehicle, which belonged to the victim’s ex-boyfriend, the report states. The man did not have permission to entire the garage or vehicle, according to police. 

 

Stolen Tires

A resident of the 3800 block of Manayunk Avenue discovered her new Lincoln MKS sitting on soda crates at about 4 p.m. Feb. 14, the victim of apparent theft. Missing from the vehicle were all four tires and rims, according to the police report. The estimated combined value of the stolen items was $500.

 

Taxi Driver Threatened

A cab operator said two men who he had picked up at 54th Street and City Avenue at about 3:56 a.m. Feb. 20 attempted to rob him at knifepoint, according to the police report. The incident happened along the 400 block of Lyceum Avenue. The driver told police that one of the men stuck a knife through the security shield inside the vehicle and demanded money, the report states. After the driver closed the security shield, the two men fled the cab. Nothing was taken and no injuries were reported, the report states.

 

Pickpocket

A woman reported that while shopping at the Shoprite at 6901 Ridge Avenue Feb. 21 at about 4:25 p.m. someone went into her jacket pocket without her knowledge and stole her wallet, which contained a driver’s license, various credit cards, $50 in cash and other forms of ID, according to the police report. The victim was a retired Philadelphia police officer, according to the report.

 

Theft From Delivery Truck

While making a delivery at a local pharmacy Feb. 22 at about 11:10 a.m., a truck driver found himself the victim of theft after someone entered the unlocked rear side door of the delivery truck and stole a cell phone, according to the police report. Police viewed the store’s outside surveillance camera and was able to track down the suspected thief, whom officers caught up with a short time later and took into custody, the report states. The stolen cell phone was recovered from the suspect’s pocket, and additional items not belonging to the suspect were found on him as well, the report states.

 

Purse Snatch

A patron of Mad River Bar & Grille in Manayunk found herself the victim of theft Feb. 27 at about 1 a.m. when she discovered that someone lifted her wallet from her purse, according to the police report. The wallet contained a driver’s license, various credit cards and $350 in cash, the report states. The victim said her purse was on her person at the time of the theft, the report states.

 

  • Also during the latter part of February, there were eight reported Theft from Vehicle incidents; 10 generic theft reports from places such as commercial businesses and residences; a few auto thefts and attempted auto thefts, and various other reportable property crimes.

 

Roxborough-Manayunk Patch will continue to provide you with police blotter information as it becomes available.  


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