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...]
Using data to save lives
01/06/2016 by
HuffPo has an article about how LA's police force released some statistics with a visual aid to help spread awareness of pedestrian deaths and the intersections where lethal accidents are more likely to occur. (link at bottom) Here's a screenshot of the map: A few years ago, after the Official Havertownie Minivan was t-boned at Earlington and Brookline (by a non-Townie on her phone who blew the light), we called the police station asking if there was any data on "intersections with the most accidents." Not naming names, but the officer told me the HPD wouldn't want to release that data because it may imply they are lacking in their duties. We thought this was a bit of an odd thing to say, seeing that it isn't the duty of the HPD to control every idiot driver, nor is it their duty to civil engineer the architecture of intersections. It was about 3 years ago, so perhaps the HPD has caught up to the current thinking on open data and safety. The Philly open data project is one such effort. The officer did point me to crimereports.com. (beware of Flash software. Blech.) That isn't the only crime report site available now. There are plenty to choose from. And we can always spend our days on the police blotter, but like Facebook, that can lead to paranoia and depression. HPD Police Blotter download interactive map data from LA HuffPo article about LA accident data OpenDataPhilly … [Read more...]
Haverford PD notes the passing of Officer Krieg
01/03/2016 by
It is with deep regret that the Haverford Township Police Department announces the death of Officer Kenneth Krieg.... Posted by Haverford Township Police Department on Saturday, January 2, 2016 … [Read more...]
Middle School boys stopped by police under suspicion of firearms
04/02/2014 by
We are asking the HPD for an official statement about this incident. Sara Christiansen, the principal of Chatham Park, sent out a robocall message at 4:18 pm today. Here are some facts: at approximately 3:30 pm many police officers, canine units and inspectors converged on a group of male Haverford Middle School students based on a citizen tip that one of the youths was carrying a weapon. The children were horse playing at some point between the Middle School and Chatham, and the citizen saw what looked to be a gun. It has been confirmed that the weapon was a "toy" (as Ms. Christiansen put it in her message). According to Christiansen, 3 of the youths were taken into custody (they were transported to the police station but they were not under arrest at any time). Ms. Christiansen said at no time were the people or children at Chatham Park in danger. Will keep updates on the site. The toy in question was a popular, realistic and scary-looking spring gun like this: From a distance, the handgun can look like it is made from a light chrome metal, lending the appearance of a real gun. If one is unfamiliar with firearms and toy firearms with bright plastic tips, it is understandable how one can confuse the toy with a lethal weapon. As far as we know, these toys are banned from school premises. We'll keep you updated on this aspect or if the toy guns are banned in this township. Please contact us via our Facebook page or our Contact page here if you have any further questions or statements. UPDATE: April 2, 2014: Havertownies.com spoke with Officer Shant Bedrossian. The order of events seems to mostly jibe with Ms. Christiansen's account. Here are some more details: Citizen from an undisclosed location in Haverford Township spotted a boy with a weapon and tipped off police. Going on description of the boys and general last reported direction, officers stopped the boys at Chatham Park Elementary school. When questioned about the gun, the boys at … [Read more...]
More burglaries in Haverford Township
03/06/2014 by
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 … [Read more...]
CVS on West Chester Pike Robbed on Xmas
12/25/2013 by
UPDATE: Lower Merion and Haverford Police have nabbed this suspect and elicited a confession: Haverford Township Police just issued a press release containing a photo and information about a suspect who allegedly showed a gun and robbed the CVS this morning, December 25th, 2013 at 11:17 a.m. The police are asking for help identifying the suspect. Please take a look at the attachment, which contains a photo of the suspect. The text of the press release is as follows (copied exactly, their emphases): On Christmas Day at 11:17 a.m., the below-pictured male robbed the CVS Store on West Chester Pike in Havertown. He is described as a light-complected black male in his 40's or 50's, approximately 5'9" to 6' tall with thin build. He showed the barrel of a gun from his coat pocket. The male departed in what appeared to be a dark- gray Toyota Corolla, last seen headed east on manoa Road toward Lower Merion Township. The gray Toyota has a broken passenger side-rear window, patched with plastic secured with white tape. Anyone with similar incidents or possible suspect identification is asked to contact Detective Matt Hufnal, Haverford Township Police Department, (610) 853-1298 x 1236, ahufnal@pavpd.org. … [Read more...]
DUI Checks This Weekend
08/31/2013 by
Starting last night, the area po po are out-n-about doing their jobs, conducting random DUI checks. Our Haverford Township police force are nice guys, as we at Havertownies know, after having had a few chances to meet officers (including the unfortunate incident of an accidental dial of 911 by a certain 9-month-old who shall remain nameless), but they are deadly serious about the perils of drinking and driving. Check out the press release, and then set up your designated drivers for Labor Day Weekend: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lieutenant Joseph Hagan 610.853.1298 x 1248 The Northern Delaware County DUI Taskforce will be conducting roving DUI patrols during the weekend of Friday, August 30, 2013 within its jurisdictional area. Havertown, PA - The Northern Delaware County DUI Taskforce is comprised of six municipalities - Haverford, Marple, Newtown, Radnor, Springfield and Upper Darby Townships. It has been in operation since September 2009 and has conducted 42 operations to date. The taskforce has arrested 90 drivers for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs, issued 33 citations for underage drinking, 474 citations and 576 warnings for other motor vehicle violations. The purpose of the Northern Delaware County DUI Taskforce is to save lives on the roadways and reduce injuries by aggressively enforcing DUI laws. Sobriety checkpoints are a proactive visual deterrent while also removing impaired drivers; roving patrols are traffic details with the main goals to spot and stop possible impaired drivers before they can cause harm to innocent unsuspecting motorists traveling on our roadways. The Northern Delaware County DUI Taskforce reminds all drivers over the age of twenty-one (21) to be responsible and NEVER operate a motor vehicle while impaired. Read carefully all instruction labels on prescription or over the counter medications and make arrangements prior to consuming alcohol for a designated driver. Don’t risk arrest, injury or … [Read more...]