Police urge awareness amid rash of car break-ins and thefts near Center City

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police are on alert after an uptick in vehicle break-ins in neighborhoods close to Center City — and they’re asking the public to be on alert as well.

When it comes to these break-ins, the good news is that they’re down overall, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Cram. “We are down about a thousand thefts from autos,” he said, before revealing the bad news. “We still have a little over 6,000 car break-ins in the city.”

Since May 23, residents of Center City, Fairmount , Northern Liberties and Spring Garden have seen a rise in these crimes. Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore says that in some neighborhoods, as many as 22 vehicles have been breached. The thieves have taken everything from change and wallets to guns.

“That’s an absolute no-no. I don’t care if you have a permit to carry or not, you’re not permitted to keep that in your car,” said Vanore.

Captain Anthony Ganard says in addition to combing through surveillance tape and giving people awareness pamphlets, the department is stepping up bike patrols. “They’re a little more prevalent in that area because of the small streets,” he said.

Even if nothing was taken from a car, Cram urges people not to turn a blind eye to a vehicle break-in, and ask anyone with information to contact Central Detectives or the department’s anonymous tipline at (215) 686-TIPS.

“We definitely want you to report it. Do your best to let your neighbors know to check their cars as well, because that’s how we figure out what’s going on in the neighborhood,” he said.

At least one suspect in the break-ins is in custody. Police arrested Isaac Tate on July 13 in connection with several cases on the 700 block of North Fifth Street. However, authorities are still searching for whoever else is responsible.