Penn Police observed a pattern of increased break-ins earlier this summer, but the burglaries have subsided in recent weeks as the University of Pennsylvania Police Department has intensified patrols. Several arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
In order to commit the crimes -- which occurred during the day, mostly in the area between 40th and 43rd streets between Walnut and Baltimore -- the perpetrators gained entry to residences after tenants had left for the day or for the summer.
Mark Dorsey, Penn's chief of police, said that the thieves took a variety of items, including a plasma-screen television, laptop computers and similar high-end electronics equipment. Most of the burglaries occurred in apartment complexes with shared exterior entryways that were often left propped open or unsecured, Dorsey said.
The first arrest occurred in mid-July. Harold Berry, 43, who lives in Philadelphia east of the Schuylkill River, was arrested and charged with burglary after a police investigation. Berry, who has an extensive criminal record, allegedly committed the crime while he was in the University City area to visit his son, who was hospitalized with a gunshot wound.
Two 17-year-old men -- described as residing north of Market Street in West Philadelphia -- were arrested in July in connection with a separate incident. Their names were not released because of their ages. Penn students allegedly invited the two into a residence, although the suspects were reportedly not well-known to the students. According to police, the suspects allegedly later returned to burglarize the residence.
Robert Brown, 48, of southwest Philadelphia was also arrested in July and charged with multiple counts of burglary.
Technology played a role in the July arrest of Philadelphia resident Jerry Porter, 35. Porter was arrested after police observed him on surveillance cameras in the vicinity of 36th Street and Locust Walk as he allegedly tried to open exterior doors of several buildings. Police responded by moving into the area, and the suspect was apprehended a short time later as he attempted to gain entry to a nearby fraternity house.
Kenya Godfrey, 32, of West Philadelphia was arrested Aug. 12 in connection with a burglary at the John Morgan Building, located at 3620 Hamilton Walk.
"A guard from Allied Security observed the suspect going in and out of several offices," Dorsey said. When questioned about his activity, Godfrey allegedly fled. Police tracked him using security cameras and apprehended him after a pursuit on foot. The suspect is also believed to be involved in a theft at the University of the Sciences.
The most recent arrest occurred Sunday when a man -- whose name was not released due to ongoing investigations -- was taken into custody in connection with three burglaries in the area between 40th and 42nd streets, between Spruce and Baltimore.
Dorsey said that although there was no information yet as to whether these burglaries might be "inside jobs" related to any of the local property management companies, no possibilities have been eliminated. He added that police have received assistance with their investigations from community members and Allied Security employees.
Despite the recent arrests, Dorsey said that many investigations are ongoing. As residents return to campus for the fall semester, more burglaries may occur.
Penn Police Patrol Captain Joe Fischer said that residents should report any suspicious behavior to police immediately instead of confronting an individual. It is believed that in some of the burglary cases, suspects simply knocked on apartment doors to be sure that they were unoccupied and then proceeded to enter.
Fischer added that it is important for the victim of a burglary to leave physical evidence that may have been left at the scene undisturbed.
In a case earlier this summer, Fischer said, a man entered the Veterinary Hospital through a window and stole a laptop computer. Fingerprints were found at the scene and quickly matched to a suspect. Police now have a warrant for his arrest.
Recent burglary suspects seem to reside outside of the University City area and appear to have come to campus, in most cases, solely to commit thefts. Police believe that criminals have become more aware that many apartments are left unattended during the summer because of year-round lease agreements.
Dorsey said that this type of crime is a concern for many urban colleges and universities during the summer months.
