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More smash-and-grabs at area businesses (updated with surveillance video)

January 3, 2014

UPDATE (1/3/14): Police have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for public’s assistance in identifying him. On the video, a medium built male wearing dark clothing, possibly a jacket, can be seen picking up a brick from a nearby dumpster and smashing the front door at Fiesta Pizza (45th and Baltimore). Then, the suspect can be seen riding a bike near the Mill Creek Tavern at 42nd and Chester and then breaking in and burglarizing it.

If you have any information about these crimes or the suspect, please contact the Southwest Detectives Division at 215-686-3183/3184. You can also submit a tip by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.

1/2/14: Police are searching for a person who has been breaking into local businesses through smashed doors or windows and burglarizing them. Three more incidents have been reported since West Philly Local‘s post about the Green Line Cafe burglary on December 23. The Mill Creek Tavern, located at 42nd and Chester Ave, and Best House Pizza at 43rd and Baltimore were burglarized shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to police. The front window was also smashed and a register was stolen at Fiesta Pizza, located at 4518 Baltimore Ave, on Christmas Day.

Two businesses, Rx The Farmacy and Cafe Saigon, were burglarized in a similar manner in August, 2013. The burglary pattern is very similar in all the cases, with the perpetrator using a brick to smash windows and stealing registers or cash from them, according to police.

There are few details on the suspect. Police are working on the release of surveillance video and describe the suspect as a black male dressed in black and riding a bike. The burglar usually hits between 3 and 5:30 a.m. 

4 Comments For This Post

  1. Humungl Says:

    Has anyone smashed and grabbed at Third World Lounge yet? How about at Watutsi?

  2. darth vader Says:

    All business owners and homeowners need to install digital cameras.

  3. darth vader Says:

    This is horrible! I’m very concerned that there was no mention of burglar alarms at any of the sites. In several articles, I’ve read that the broken windows were “discovered” the next morning. Although our area is improving, we’re still in the city and all businesses should be properly alarmed.

  4. Commenter Says:

    “suspect was seen riding a pedal bicycle” … what is a non-pedal bicycle??

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