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Authorities are hoping the included image can lead to the arrest of a man sought in nine commercial burglaries committed throughout South Philly last month.
Five of the incidents occurred last week, beginning with a 3:17 a.m. call to authorities on April 22 from Le Virtu, 1927 E. Passyunk Ave., where they found an empty cash register on the site’s block. Someone had forced open the front door lock and taken $100. At 11:40 a.m. the same day, the proprietor of Green Olives Cafe, 1941 E. Passyunk Ave., told law enforcement agents he noticed someone had tried to force open the front window with an unknown object. He had secured the business at 11:30 the previous night.
At 11 a.m. the same day, the owner of Adobe Cafe, 1919 E. Passyunk Ave., reported $500 removed from a jukebox, adding he had closed the eatery at midnight. The overseer of Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave., likewise met with authorities at 7:30 that morning to tell them he had reported to the spot to find the front door lock pried open and $150 missing from the cash register. He had closed the business nine hours before their arrival. The final April 22 interaction with police occurred at Johnny Chang’s, 2601 S. Broad St., where, at 5:29 a.m., the owner found the front door forced open and $200 missing.
These matters join the following incidents: authorities responded to a radio call at 7:08 p.m. April 2 and ventured to the Philadelphia Pretzel Factory, 1410 McKean St. They learned from the complainant that as he tried to close the establishment, he noticed the doors would not set correctly to lock. The site’s security system captured an unknown black male fleeing from the area after unsuccessful attempts to pry open doors and a service window.
In the second matter, the complainant, from Los Gallos, 951 Wolf St., stated he secured all windows and doors at 11 p.m. April 1 and discovered upon returning at 9:30 a.m. the next day that someone had broken out a basement window and had removed wood that had been covering an air conditioner. Nobody had gained access to the location, and nothing was missing. At 9 a.m. that same day, officers fielded a call from Johnnie’s Restaurant, 2240 S. 12th St., and learned someone had forced open a rear door window and had made off with $100 from behind the counter.
For the final occasion, police arrived at Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant, 2500 S. Broad St., April 2 and learned the complainant had arrived at the eatery at 11 a.m. and inspected an unknown person trying to gain entry by prying open the rear door. He reported nothing taken.
To report information, call South Detectives’ tip line at 215-685-1635 or visit www.phillypolice.com/forms.
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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