Car break-ins and burglaries near West Chester University leave students on edge

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying at least one suspect after a series of burglaries and car break-ins near West Chester University.

Just days into the start of a new school year, some students say they’re on edge after the incidents happened over the last week near the university.

Police released surveillance video on Tuesday of a person of interest in an incident on the morning of August 27.

Video showed a man roaming around apartments near South Walnut in the 700 block of South Walnut Street.

The man is seen opening a white SUV and sifting through the vehicle.

A sophomore at West Chester University, Philip Uliano, says the SUV is his vehicle.

“He just walked right up to my car, opened the passenger door, went in, opened my glovebox, and looked like he was just searching around,” Uliano said.

Some students reported that their personal belongings were accounted for. Still, Caitlin Suter, a junior at the university, said someone broke into her home and stole her and her roommate’s personal belongings.

“When I was in the shower at 3 a.m. someone came in. We had the door unlocked for our roommate to come home and someone came in,” said

On September 1 , West Chester police released surveillance video of another incident in the same area on South Walnut Street.

On August 29th , police posted more videos of a potential person of interest in the burglary investigations.

Surveillance videos show a man carrying items and walking through the Southeast section of West Chester.

Police say they’re investigating whether they’re searching for one or several suspects.

Mayslyn Soisson, a student at West Chester University, said the amount of police officers on campus is reassuring to her.

“I think we have over 300 that are actively within a couple of miles of the school that are able to respond to those kinds of things, so I’m not too concerned myself,” said Soisson.

“I think campus safety has really done a good job at making students feel secure when it comes to that kind of stuff.”

West Chester police remind everyone to lock their homes and vehicles and to not leave personal belongings inside their cars.

Anyone who sees something suspicious in their neighborhood or has any information on a person of interest is asked to contact police at 610-696-2700 or by emailing TIPS@west-chester.com.

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