Gayborhood Crime Watch: April 2-8

The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Feb. 28 and March 4. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association.

ARREST: At 4:40 p.m. March 22, complainant stepped outside his place of employment, Hard Rock Cafe, 11th and Market streets, and a male attempted to snatch an apron from his waist. The male failed to get the apron and was apprehended by police officers from the Homeland Security Unit assigned to the East Market Street after-school detail. The 29-year-old alleged offender with a Mayfair address was charged with theft and related offenses.

REPORT: Between 2-5:30 p.m. March 22, a laptop and a PS3 game box were taken from complainant’s rooms inside a frat house in the 1100 block of Spruce Street without permission. The rooms were unlocked.

REPORT: Between 7:30 a.m.-6:25 p.m. March 22, complainant’s apartment in the 1200 block of Spruce Street had the door forced open and an iPod and laptop taken. Sixth District Officer Trautz lifted fingerprints from the scene.

REPORT: At 11:10 p.m. March 22, complainant placed her handbag on the counter inside a restaurant in the 1100 block of Spruce Street when a male grabbed it and fled. The offender was described as an Hispanic male, 25-30 years old, medium build, wearing a white baseball cap and Flyers jacket.

REPORT: Between 2-6 p.m. March 23, out-of-town complainant’s Ford truck, parked in the 1000 block of Walnut Street, had a window smashed and tools taken. This report was received by the DPR Unit via phone and police were not dispatched; therefore, no prints were lifted.

REPORT: Between 9-11:30 a.m. March 24, complainant’s laptop and camera were taken from his apartment in the 1300 block of Walnut Street. There was no forced entry into the apartment, which complainant shares with three roommates. The scene had been contaminated before police were contacted and no fingerprints were lifted.

ARREST: At 1:15 p.m. March 24, due to a recent increase in apartment burglaries, Sixth District Officer Cullen was assigned to plainclothes duty in the Washington Square West area. The officer observed a male going in the front doors of two apartment buildings in the 1000 block of Spruce Street and exiting almost immediately. The male was then observed going into an alley and attempting to forcibly pull open a door. The male was taken into custody and transported to Central Detective Division-Special Investigation Unit. The 46-year-old alleged offender, who gave an address at the Parker Spruce Hotel, was in wanted status with an open bench warrant for a previous burglary and was charged with attempted burglary for this incident. The investigation continues.

REPORT: Between 11:30 p.m. March 25 and 5:45 a.m. March 26, complainant’s apartment in the 1200 block of Chestnut Street was entered without force and a laptop was taken. Complainant reported that a key was left under the doormat. Scene processed for latent fingerprints by Sixth District Officer Kelly.

REPORT: At 5:10 a.m. March 26, complainant set his laptop and iPhone down on a counter inside the gym, 1315 Walnut St. when a male took the items and fled from the building. The offender was described as a black male, 40s, 5-foot-10, dark complexion, wearing a blue jacket.

REPORT: Between 5 p.m. March 26 and 11:50 a.m. March 28, the glass door of Riverside Care (Drug Rehab), sixth floor of 1217 Sansom St., was broken. SEPTA tokens were taken. No alarm or video was present. The scene was contaminated by an employee, thus no latent prints were available.

REPORT: At 12:58 a.m. March 27, an apartment alarm went off in the 300 block of South 13th Street, to which the landlord responded (tenant was away) and found pry marks around the doorframe and lock. Entry was not gained. Sixth District Officer Kelly processed the scene for evidence.

REPORT: At 3 a.m. March 28, complainant was walking in the 200 block of South 11th Street and was pushed down from behind. A male then took his wallet from his pants pocket and fled. The alleged offender was described as a black male, 25-30 years, scruffy beard, 5-foot-6, wearing dirty clothes and a hoodie.

If you recognize or know anything or anyone involved in any of the crimes reported, please call the Police Liaison Committee at (215) 600-0627 or Chief Inspector James Tiano at (215) 685-3655 with any additional information.

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