News Summary
Philadelphia police have released surveillance footage to aid in identifying two suspects linked to a series of nine commercial break-ins across West Philadelphia. The break-ins occurred over several months, with notable incidents including forced entry into various businesses and significant thefts. As authorities seek public assistance to capture the suspects, community members are urged to report any suspicious activities that could help reduce the prevalence of such crimes in the area.
Philadelphia Police Release Surveillance Footage in Search of Suspects Tied to Nine Commercial Break-Ins
Philadelphia law enforcement officials have released surveillance footage in an effort to track down two suspects believed to be connected to a series of commercial robberies throughout West Philadelphia. The suspects are implicated in a total of nine break-in robberies that occurred between November 2024 and May 2025.
Investigators have identified a pattern in the crimes, noting that the suspects exhibit a similar appearance and clothing across various incidents. The earliest known robbery in this series took place on November 6, 2024, at a mini market located on the 5400 block of Pine Street. The perpetrators gained access to the premises around 7:39 a.m. by breaking through a rear wall, resulting in significant damage to cash registers, an ATM, and lottery machines, ultimately leading to the theft of cash.
The crime spree continued with a break-in on December 19, 2024, at approximately 1:43 a.m., when the suspects targeted a laundromat on the 5800 block of Markey Street. They pried open the front gate and made off with an undisclosed sum from an ATM, along with $800 from a cash box.
On January 31, 2025, the same suspects struck again, this time at a grocery store on the 5200 block of Market Street. They broke in through the ceiling, disabled power to security and fire systems, and stole $5,000 from the ATM along with $2,000 worth of additional merchandise. Police reported that the suspects used bleach to eradicate any potential fingerprint evidence.
March brought further incidents, including a burglary on March 23 at a storage company on the 5500 block of Sansom Street. A manager discovered a large hole in the wall and found that security cameras had been disabled. The suspects stole $100 from the cash drawer and various tools.
The pattern of theft continued with a bar on the 400 block of S. 54th Street being broken into between March 25 and 26. The suspects disabled the security system and stole $460 in cash along with three bottles of Hennessy liquor. Another robbery occurred on April 8, 2025, at a market on the 5200 block of Market Street, where multiple holes were found in the ceiling, leading to a theft of $720 from cash registers and an ATM, along with more bleach being used to tamper with evidence.
On April 29-30, 2025, a business on the 5600 block of Lancaster Avenue fell victim to the suspects, with an estimated loss of $9,625 from the ATM, cash registers, and liquor after a rear door was forced open. The last reported burglary in this series occurred on May 16-17, 2025, at a beauty shop on the same Lancaster Avenue block. Upon arrival, staff members discovered a hole in the ceiling, and $800 from the cash register, $800 in petty cash, $4,000 from an ATM, and $13,000 in merchandise had been stolen.
Authorities are actively seeking assistance from the public for tips related to these robberies. Individuals with any information are encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department’s Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183 or 215-686-3184.
As the investigation continues, these robberies highlight concerns over public safety and the increasing prevalence of commercial break-ins in the area. Communities are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that may help in apprehending the suspects involved.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Philadelphia
- Wikipedia: Robbery
- Philly Police Blotter
- Google Search: Commercial Burglary
- CBS News Philadelphia
- Google Scholar: Break-in Robberies Philadelphia
- FOX29 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Burglary
- Philly Police Blotter – Multiple Burglaries
- Google News: Burglaries Philadelphia
