Germantown Police Briefs

Posted: February 7, 2011

Editor’s note: each issue the Chronicle reports on crime in Germantown, east and west of Germantown Avenue on an alternating basis. This week we present information on crime on the east side of the Avenue in the 14th Police District.

The 14th District is responsible for patrolling Germantown east of Germantown Avenue, in the area bounded by Washington Lane on the north and Wister Street, Old Stenton Avenue and East Collom Street on the south, between Germantown and Stenton avenues.

The following crimes were reported in that area between January 17 and January 30, 2011.

January 17

200 block Armstrong St. – complainant in verbal dispute with acquaintance who allegedly began punching and choking her. Suspect fled but arrested shortly after nearby.

January 18

5900 block Stenton Ave., 4:45 p.m. – complainant alleged that she was jumped and sprayed with Mace by three female offenders.

500 block Church Lane – tag taken from Mercury Grand Marquis.

300 block E. Haines St. – ID, cameras, iPod, stereo system missing from location.

6100 block Stenton Ave. – complainant alleged that acquaintance sprayed her with Mace.

January 19

5300 block Chew Ave. , 9:45 p.m. – offender entered bank, presented demand note to teller, took cash and fled.

6100 block Chew Ave. – rear driver’s side window broken on vehicle. Mag wheels and GPS system taken.

5300 block Chew Ave. – offender entered store, snatched items and fled.

Coulter St. and Germantown Ave., 2 p.m. – complainant alleged that he was followed by group of acquaintances who punched him and threatened him with box cutter.

January 20

5600 block McMahon St. – front door to residence kicked in. Taken were TV, DVD player, am-fm radio, lamps, stereo system and microwave oven.

300 block E. Wister St., 11:20 a.m. – complainant alleged that offender pulled knife on her, kicked her door.

January 21

Unit block E. Clapier St. – residence entered through rear door. Laptop, Walkman, xBox, DVD, games and food taken.

January 22

5600 block Boyer St. – outside basement window broken but inside window left intact. No access gained to location.

January 23

5300 block Chew Ave. – offender allegedly took items off shelves and put them in pockets without paying. Suspect arrested.

400 block E. Walnut Lane, 10 p.m. – complainant exited his vehicle, was approached at gunpoint by three offenders who took his wallet, cellphone and 2003 green Lincoln Towncar.

January 24

1200 block E. Stafford St., 10:30 p.m. - while making delivery to location complainant approached by offender who pointed gun at him, demanded belongings. Took food, callphone, GPS system, cash, then fled.

Germantown and Chelten aves. - offender approached complainant from behind, put gun in his back, went through complainant’s pockets. Took transpass, cash, watch, cellphone, then knocked complainant to ground and fled.

5400 block Lena St. – top of washing machine removed, coin box taken.

100 block Herman St. – complainant alleged she was punched in face by acquaintance who lived nearby.

January 25

5300 block Chew Ave. – offender allegedly tried to leave store without paying for items, suspect arrested.

1200 block E. Haines St. – Chevrolet Astro found on fire, arson suspected.

1200 block E. Price St. – entry gained to residence, $2” TV taken. No sign forced entry.

6100 block Ardleigh St. – front window broken on 1996 Acura, vehicle ransacked, nothing taken.

200 block Church Lane – door to apartment pried open, nothing apparently taken.

5800 block Germantown Ave., 8:40 p.m. – complainant approached by two offenders with handgun. They went through his pockets, took keys, wallet, ID and cash, then fled. 

January 26

1000 block E. Haines St. – front window broken on 1999 Cherolet Blazer, tools taken.

Unit block E. High St. – laptop taken from locked room at location.

January 27

5600 block Chew Ave., 11:50 p.m. – police heard gunshots. On arrival at location met by witness who said relative had been wounded in hip and ear. Victim taken to hospital.

300 block E. High St. – front door to location pried open. Two French doors and window taken.

200 block E. Queen Lane – back window broken on 2000 Saturn. Car sea, camera, cash and eyeglasses taken.

5700 block Germantown Ave. – store manager told group of juveniles to leave store, they snatched items and fled.

500 block E. Ashmead St., 9:40 p.m. – while making delivery to location complainant approached by offender with handgun. He took cash, then fled.

January 28

5600 block Chew Ave.11:30 p.m. – complainant heard gunshots, bullets struck doors and living room wall. No injuries reported.

January 29

No crimes reported.

January 30

5700 block Anderson St., 10:30 p.m. – complainant approached by two offenders who grabbed and struck him. Complainant fell to ground, later noticed his handgun missing.

4900 block Germantown Ave., midnight – complainant approached by three offenders at gunpoint. They allegedly demanded money, then got into complainant’s car and pointed gun at occupants. Offenders left in black Cadillac which got stuck in snow at Rubicam and Bringhurst sts. Suspects arrested.

700 block E. Haines St., 5 p.m. – during verbal argument, acquaintance allegedly threatened complainant with knife.

Anti-Burglary Alert

The 14th Police District has noticed an increase in property crimes, specifically burglaries, in the past few weeks and is issuing the following advice to Mt. Airy residents  to be vigilant about securing their homes, both when they are home and not home.

Especially when you are leaving your property, lock, then double check all windows and doors, and be absolutely certain to lock the door you are leaving from. Set your house alarm even if you are only leaving for 10 minutes.  When leaving for vacation or extended periods, stop mail delivery by contacting the local post office, and leave lights on in at least a few rooms (on a timer to save on electric bill), Have family members, friends, or neighbors you trust periodically check on your property.  Please phone the 14th District at 215-686-3140 and inform the district that you will be away for an extended period.  Officers will conduct periodic, irregular security checks of your property while you’re away.  If you are far away or out of the country, please provide the 14th District with a contact number of someone who can be reached and respond to your home quickly in case they are needed.

14th District Crime Prevention Officer Synell Hall, will visit anyone’s home to conduct a safety check and provide advice and guidance on ways to make one’s home more secure and less of a target for burglars.

Townwatch is vital in preventing property crimes.  All interested residents are welcome to attend the 14th District’s monthly townwatch meeting.  Residents are encouraged to attend their monthly PSA meetings to address all crime and quality of life concerns with their PSA lieutenant.  PSA 3 is Lieutenant Mark Overwise.  PSA 4 is Lieutenant Mike Kopecki.  For a schedule of meeting dates and locations, visit www.phillypolice.com and follow the link to the 14th District’s home page.

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