Two more burglaries were reported in H-Town, this time in the Penfield section. The crimes occurred on Saturday March 1 after 5:00 PM
The following email regarding the burglaries was sent to his constituents by 8th ward commissioner Chris Connell on March 3, 2014 at 9:30 PM:
“500 BLKS CANTERBURY ROAD AND DEVON ROAD
SAT MAR 1 AFTER 5:00 PM
This past Saturday evening police were dispatched to the 500 block of Canterbury Road for a possible burglary. After returning home the homeowner noticed that the kitchen window was open. The homeowner responded properly by not entering the home, then immediately contacted 9-1-1 via a cell phone. Two police units responded, one being a K-9 unit. The K-9 and officers searched the premises with negative results of the intruder. After the home was cleared for the homeowner’s safe entry, it was realized that items from the second floor had been taken.
While investigating the Canterbury Road burglary, the K-9 unit tracked a scent to the rear of another home on the 500 block of Devon Road. Upon arrival, police found an open back door to the residence which appeared to have been opened forcibly as indicated by the pry marks. A search of the unoccupied residence by the K-9 and officers had also resulted without incident of an intruder. After the residence was secured, a phone number was obtained leading to the homeowner being contacted. Once the homeowner arrived home, a search through the home brought question to some possibly missing items.
Police canvassed the Penfield neighborhood. Interviews with neighbors did not yield any results.
The Canterbury Road burglary was committed between the hours from 5PM to 7PM when the homeowner was out of the house doing errands. The home was entered that quick during a time when most families are home eating dinner, including the neighbors. As unfortunate that this incident is, the homeowner did the right thing by observing the house before entering it. Once an issue was observed, the homeowner remained outside and called 9-1-1 for police to respond and search the residence, thereby averting the possibility of an unfortunate incident, turned tragic.
THINGS TO REMEMBER…
- Always lock your home when leaving and observe your surrounding for anything that may appear to be suspicious.
- After returning home, observe your surroundings again, especially your home.
- If you’ve just entered your home and found that it was entered while you were out, don’t start checking to see what’s missing. Take your cell phone and call police from outside or from a neighbor’s home.
- Preventive measures: interior timers for lights, radios, or even televisions. Exterior motion-detecters should be mounted also.
For more about how to protect your family and your home, or to start a Neighborhood Watch Program, go to the Haverford Township webpage. Bring down the Departments menu where you can open POLICE to click on Safety Programs. [link:]Community Safety Series is what you want.”
UPDATE: Via Facebook, we received a note allegedly from Commissioner Bill Wexler (via Katie S.) about burglaries in his district:
“From Commissioner Bill Wechsler – PLEASE SHARE!
All residents should be aware that this past week we have had four burglaries in the 9th Ward. Two in the 1500 block of Burmont Road, one in the 100 of Warrior Road and one in the 1200 block of Center Road.I would ask all residents to call 911 if you see any suspicious person in the neighborhood or any activity that looks out of place. Please do not hesitate to call 911. If you have the slightest question about someone in the area, call 911 and report it. The fact that you have a doubt is reason enough to call and report your concern.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me for information. If you were unable to attend the Police Department information session at the Haverford Reserve several weeks ago and need information please feel free to call me.
My number is [redacted by Havertownies].
Sincerely,
Bill Wechsler
Commissioner, 9th Ward”
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