Havertownies HQ's middle-schooler asked us last week why there was increased police presence in H-Town. After we fainted from shock at said middle-schooler's (usually-nonexistent) observation skills, we offered up the run down of the knife-point hold-ups on Eagle Road. Today, the police released information about apprehending the knife-wielding suspects. Here are both press releases (link to pdf page. Safe to view). Press Release-Armed Robberies (Eagle Road) Press Release-Armed Robberies (suspects apprehended) … [Read more...]
Armed Robbery, Car and Foot Chase, Arrest
05/27/2016 by
This latest Press Release from Haverford Police Department reads like a movie script. (But holy crap, armed robbery?! At Grasslyn and Ellis?!) HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT 1010 Darby Road Havertown, Pennsylvania 19083 Official Press Release On Friday May 27, 2016 at 0211 hours Haverford Township Police were dispatched to the area of Grasslyn Avenue and Ellis Road for an armed robbery that had just occurred. The initial investigation revealed that two actors armed with handguns had just robbed a subject at gunpoint. The victim stated that the actors were two black males; one was described to be in his twenties, thin build approximately 5'10', clean shaven and wearing a gray or white shirt and black pants. The second actor was described as, being a heavy build with a full beard wearing dark clothing. The victim stated the gun displayed was dark in color. The actors got into a silver colored Hyundai and fled the area at a high rate of speed. While officers were checking the area for the suspect vehicle they were advised that Marple Township Police were in foot pursuit of two suspects at West Chester Pike and New Ardmore Avenue in Marple Township. Haverford Township Police units did respond to that location. Marple police reported that they observed the silver Hyundai traveling westbound on West Chester Pike and attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop and pulled into the parking lot of 2201 West Chester Pike Broomall. Both occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers from Marple Township, Newtown Square Township, Springfield Township and Haverford Township established a perimeter in the area and initiated K-9 tracks. HTPD K9 Jango located 9mm black in a grass lot adjacent to 2201 West Chester Pike. Police located a black male subject hiding in an exterior basement stairwell of a residence. The subject was taken into custody without incident. HTPD K9 Jango located a second handgun in the rear yard where the … [Read more...]
Townie woman pleads guilty in DuBois, PA
02/29/2016 by
From GANT/CNN: Posted on Monday, February 22, 2016 by Julie Rae Rickard DUBOIS – A Havertown woman has pleaded guilty to theft for trying to con money from a local church. Michele Thompson, 47, 26 Colfax Rd., Havertown was charged by DuBois City police with theft by deception and receiving stolen property, both misdemeanors of the first degree for her actions on Nov. 23 when she lied to representatives of St. Catherine’s Church to get financial assistance. Thompson pleaded guilty Friday during Centralized Court to a lesser charge of theft by deception, a misdemeanor of the third degree. The other charge was withdrawn. She must pay fines and costs totaling $472.50. According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were called to the S&T Bank on Liberty Boulevard because someone was trying to cash a stolen check. When police arrived, they met with Mary Rossi, who is the office manager at St. Catherine’s Church. She told them that a woman had contacted her earlier that day requesting financial assistance. The woman identified herself as Michele Thompson of Brockway and claimed to own a property in DuBois. Thompson stated that her tenant, Jennifer Douglas, was behind in rent and needed assistance from the church. Thompson claimed to be calling on behalf of Douglas as an alternative to starting the eviction process. She said Douglas was behind nearly $1,000 in her rent. Rossi said she agreed to help and transferred Thompson to Monsignor Richard Siefer. Thompson was issued a check for $200 and two $25 Martin’s Grocery gift cards. She arrived at the church in an old brown coupe and collected the donations, identifying herself as Douglas. Moments after this Rossi received a phone call from S&T Bank requesting permission to cash the check for Thompson. At this point, Rossi realized Thompson had deceived the church. Rossi immediately contacted police and went to the bank. Upon arriving Rossi recognized the brown car in the … [Read more...]
H-Town Priest going away for child porn & sexual abuse
02/18/2016 by
Do you know this creep? We're sorry if you do. Patch put up an article yesterday about this derelict lowlife & how he'll spend his next 2 decades. Let's see his litany of crimes: *using the Internet to entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct *transfer of obscene material to a minor *distribution of child pornography *possession of child pornography *destruction or concealment of evidence Disgusting. We're guessing the plea was preferable to a long investigation and rounding up of sexual abuse victims. Let's hope this vile creature's pedophilia was contained to the depraved child pornography images and horrific chat room luring, and no child in the township was physically touched by this creep. (Doubtful, of course, but the charges sending him away fro 20 years to rot in hell-on-earth don't list rape or sexual assault). If you were abused or suspect someone is a victim of abuse, please contact the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. No-one is above the law. … [Read more...]
Suspicious flyer put in mailboxes
10/14/2015 by
An unsigned "mimeographed" (<-tee hee) flyer has shown up in area mailboxes. This obviously fake "Amazon Logistics" letter is in the photo. Click on it for a closer look. It's an obvious scam. Amazon would never: Use door-to-door "outreach" Use paper for first-line communication Need random customer feedback for logistics Ask for customers' access codes Send a person out to collect delivery preferences Not sign a letter with a name Use random capitalization (Our Business partner) Use photocopied paper Here at Havertownies HQ we received one of these flyers. When we asked @AmazonHelp, they assumed we were talking about an email phishing attempt. They were unfamiliar with this letter. We called the police and handed over the letter. Not all the neighbors received one so perhaps there is a leaked list of Amazon customers somewhere and this scammer got a hold of it. When posted on Facebook, another Townie thought she saw a while male, 30s, in black pants and shirt, driving a tan sedan distributing these flyers. This is just a guess, though, so take that under consideration. Our thought is the plan is this: Step 1: Distribute the flyers. Step 2: Send an official-looking person with stolen Amazon logos on his shirt and a clipboard to knock on doors. Step 3: Fish for information like where packages are left, whether or not doors are open, and if there is anyone home during the day. The Haverford PD said there are no permits issued right now for solicitation in the Township except for maybe the Natural Gas sellers. So no matter what, don't open the door to anyone you don't know and aren't expecting. Call 911 for any solicitors, even if they seem legit. To keep up with stuff like this, make sure to join and follow the following groups, pages and websites (starting with Havertownies.com, of course!) Havertown and Drexel Hill Community Network on Facebook. Closed group. You will need to wait for approval to join. Nextdoor.com … [Read more...]
Update on burglary investigations
07/28/2014 by
The letter below has been making the rounds on Nextdoor.com and local Facebook pages. It is from Lt. Charles Moore from the Haverford Township Police Department and addressed to his boss, HPD's Chief Carmen Pettine. It contains information about the ongoing investigation of the burglaries that have plagued H-Town as of late. We here at Havertownies have substantiated the letter, its contents and the sender and receiver. It's legit. Remember, please call HPD to report any suspicious activity, even if you are only just a little bit wary. Don't talk yourself out of your instincts if something doesn't seem right. Just call 911. Another crime deterrent: know your neighbors. Keep in contact with them. A strong network is the best defense. ______________________ From: Lt. Charles Moore Date: July 24, 2014 at 7:52:32 AM EDT To: Carmen Pettine Subject: Burglaries Chief, While investigating the burglaries that have been happening in the Ardmore section of town a suspect was identified. This suspect sold several of the watches that were taken from one of the burglaries on Bryn Mawr Ave. to a Jewelry /Pawn shop located in Upper Darby Twp.( Some of which have been recovered). On Tues. 7-22 Upper Merion Twp. Arrested a Keith Morrison B/M age 24 for a burglary/home invasion that had occurred in their town. The characteristics of the burglary were identical to ours and the male arrested was the same person that we have identified as selling the watches in Upper Darby Twp. Our Detectives responded to Upper Merion Twp. and spoke with their detectives and interviewed Mr. Morrison. As a result of the interview and evidence already gathered we are preparing an arrest warrant charging Mr. Morrison with the Two burglaries on Bryn Mawr Ave. Although it is very likely that he is responsible for the other burglaries as well, (due to the timing and proximity to the Rt#100 line) we will continue to give extra attention to the area and follow up on all leads. Also, Mr. … [Read more...]
Home Invasion in Bryn Mawr
06/20/2014 by
A woman was held at gunpoint in her home. Please see the official press release from Haverford Township Police Officer Lt. Michael Glenn: "On Thursday 06/12/2014 at 1841 hours, the Haverford Township Police Department responded to 627 Foxfields Road, Bryn Mawr, PA for a report of a home invasion robbery. The victim reported that after hearing a knock on her front door, she asked through the door what the person wanted. The victim reported that she could not see the person as her front door is solid wood. The victim reported that a male voice responded that he was a representative from a natural food company. The victim partially opened the door and was met by a white male who displayed a dark colored revolver hand gun. The male immediately demanded her “husband’s watches.” The white male walked the victim to her second floor master bedroom where he removed jewelry. The victim reported that at one point the male made a phone call on his cell phone and a second suspect appeared on the second floor. The victim reported that the second male began to ransack her husband’s second floor bedroom. The victim reported that the two males remained in her residence for approximately one hour before fleeing in an unknown direction. The victim and her husband reported a combined loss of approximately $500,000 worth of jewelry. The victim provided for the following description of the initial male suspect: white male in his thirties, approximately 6’0 tale, medium build, dark curly hair, wearing dark Aviator type sun glasses, gloves, and jeans. The male was in possession of a dark colored revolver. The following brief description was provided for the second male suspect who entered the residence: white male, stocky build, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. A forensic sketch was completed for the initial male suspect. If you can provide any information on the identity of the suspect please notify Detective Stephen Laughlin at (610)853-1298 Ext. 1239 or the H.T.P.D … [Read more...]