Mt. Airy Police Briefs

Posted: July 22, 2010

Crime Report

you have been the victim of a crime and would like information or services, call Northwest Victim Services, 6301 Germantown Avenue, at 215-438-4410. Their services are free.

West Mt. Airy Neighbors requests that all crimes committed in Mt. Airy be reported to WMAN at 215-438-6022.

The following crimes were reported in Mt. Airy from July 12-18, 2010.

THEFT FROM AUTO, ATTEMPTED AUTO THEFT

July 12: 200 block W. Hortter St. – rear driver’s side window broken on 2010 Ford. GPS system, MP3 player, adapter and change stolen.

July 12: 6600 block McCallum St. – GPS system taken from 2010 Toyota Matrix.

July 15: 200 block W. Gorgas Lane – tire and wheel taken from 1997 Buick.

July 16: 700 block E. Sharpnack St. – earrings and cash taken from unlocked vehicle.

STOLEN AUTO

July 13: 800 block E. Hortter St. – 1991 red Dodge Spirit stolen, contained bowling ball, registration, shoes, pillows.

July 16: 7000 block Chew Ave. – 1994 green Jeep grand Cherokee stolen.

July 18: 6800 block Emlen st. – 1996 gold Mercury Sable taken.

BURGLARY

July 12: 1200 block E. Washington Lane – front door to apartment forced and on damaged, taken were laptop, camera, jewelry and modem.

July 12: 300 block E. Upsal St. – no sign forced entry to residence, laptop and camera taken.

July 13: 6300 block Germantown Ave. – police responded to burglar alarm at location, found front window broken. Unknown if anything taken.

July 16: front door forced at location, rails and banister taken.

July 18: 700 block Westview St. – second floor window screen cut, residence entered. Watches and jewelry taken.

THEFT

July 16: 400 block W. Mt. Airy Ave. – package delivered to complainant’s residence but never received by complainant.

July 16: 100 block W. Hortter St. – complainant’s pocketbook taken from location, contained checks and gun permit.

July 17: 100 block Meehan St. – iPod taken from residence.

July 18: 6300 block Chew Ave. – complainant alleged that acquaintance took DVD player and DVDs without permission.

ROBBERY

July 12: 6300 block Anderson St., midnight: complainant stated that acquaintance came to his home with family member and friends who allegedly forced their way in and punched him, took gold chain and glasses, then fled.

July 13: 400 block W. Mt. Pleasant St. – while working at location, complainant approached by offender who said he needed work done on his car, then pulled handgun and ordered offender onto ground. Offender went through complainant’s pockets. Complainant grabbed bun and took it away from offender. Offender fled toward Emlen St. Gun recovered.

July 13: 7200 block Germantown Ave., midnight – while on bus, complainant alleged that offender grabbed his cellphone and exited bus. Complainant pursued, chased alleged offender on Allens Lane where struggle ensued. Police arrived, took suspect into custody.

July 14: 400 block E. Washington Lane, 3 p.m. – complainant forced by five offenders into alleyway where they took his clothes and property. Offenders scared away by witness. 

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

July 14: 100 block E. Sharpnack St., midnight – complainant walking when group of offenders came up and assaulted him. Complainant ran home, noticed he was bleeding, went to 14th District headquarters. Taken to hospital for treatment of stab wounds.

July 15: Chew Ave. and Washington Lane, 2:30 a.m. – female stopped for vehicle investigation who allegedly refused to produce ID or vehicle info. She then allegedly rolled up window on officer’s arm and attempted to drive away with officer still stuck in window. Suspect arrested.

On Thursday, June 24, officers of the 14th Police District, 43 West Haines Street,  were honored for 20 and 25 years of service to the Philadelphia Police Department.

Among those receiving plaques at the ceremony were (left to right) Officer Rodney Brown, 20 years; Officer Tony White, 20 years; Officer Joe Smith, 20 years; and Sgt. Sue DeMalto, 25 years.

Others receiving recognition (not pictured) were Officer John Donaghy, 20 years; Sgt. Joe Chiodo, 20 years; and Officer Sabra Johnson, 20 years.

Be On Guard Against Burglary

The 14th Police District has issued the following guidelines for avoiding burglary.

Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries they don’t even have to use force - they get in through an open door or window.

Look at your home through the burglar’s eyes - are there places where they could break in unseen? Have you fitted strong locks on your doors and windows? Would they have to make a lot of noise by breaking glass?

Look at your construction site or house under renovation through the burglar’s eyes -  is it unsecured and full of expensive tools, ideal for breaking into the rest of the house and removing anything of value?

Reduce the risk of burglary happening to you by making sure you’ve taken these simple precautions:

Secure all Wndows: Easily visible locks may deter some thieves, because a window lock forces the thief to break the glass and risk attracting attention. Lock away any ladders or other portable items that could be used to reach upper windows. If your house is going to be left empty, make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked and remember to set the burglar alarm.

Secure all Doors: If your front and back doors are not secure, neither is your home. Make sure the doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Use a deadlock with a key, so a thief can’t smash a nearby panel to open the door from the inside; if the thief gets into the property through a window they can’t carry your property out through the door.

Good Lighting: Good lighting can deter a thief. Some exterior lights have an infra-red sensor that switches the light on for a few moments when it detects something in its range.

Burglar Alarms: Visible burglar alarms make burglars think twice.

Reward Offered in 2009 Murder

On March 27, 2009 at approximately 9:20 a.m., the body of Najee Purnell was found in the Delaware River near Delaware Avenue and Linden Street. Purnell had been reported missing on March 1 after he called his girlfriend telling her that he was leaving his place of work at the Cedarbrook Plaza Pathmark, located at Easton Road and Cheltenham Avenue. However, he never made it home.

The Citizens Crime Commission is administering a $5,000 reward for any information concerning foul play that resulted in the death of Najee Purnell.

Anyone with any information regarding the disappearance of Najee Purnell, please call the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS. Callers’ anonymity is protected.

July PSA Meetings in 14th District

July Police Service Area meetings in the 14th District will be as follows:

PSA1, with Lt. Raymond Jackson and community facilitator Geneva Green of the Block Captain Association, on July 22, 7-9 p.m., at the H&H Community Center,  Limekiln Pike and Haines Street. PSA 1 covers West Oak Lane, East Germantown between Stenton and Chew avenues, and East Mt. Airy south of Gorgas Lane and Vernon Rd.

PSA2, with Lt. Brian Murphy and community facilitator James Igess of Wister Neighborhood Council, July 28, 7-9 p.m., at New Bethel Church, 6153 Germantown Avenue.  PSA 2 covers the area  between Germantown and Chew avenues, from Gorgas Lane to Wister Street.

PSA3, with Lt. Mark Overwise and community facilitator Heather Pierce of Carpenter Woods Town Watch, on July 21, 7-9 p.m., at Germantown Jewish Center, 400 West Ellet Street. PSA 3 covers West Mt. Airy and West Central Germantown.

PSA4, with Lt. Michael Kopecki and community facilitator Dr. Arleen Bennett of Safe Streets, on July 27, 7-9 p.m., at Chestnut Hill Library, 8711 Germantown Avenue.  PSA 4 covers Chestnut Hill and East Mt. Airy between Germantown and Cheltenham avenues, bordered on the south by Gorgas Lane and Vernon Road.

For more information call the 14th Police District at 215-686-3140.

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