Police investigating ‘clusters' of car break-ins in Center City, officials say

Neighbors in the area of 22nd and Sansom streets in Philadelphia found vehicles parked there targeted by vandals and thieves after a rash of break-ins over the weekend.

And, according to police, a number of car owners in the area saw their vehicles broken into and have seen money and other items -- like a rear tail light -- stolen.

All across the street, broken glass littered the ground and vehicles with hastily replaced windows covered with plastic bags could be seen in the area on Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, police released surveillance video that had been taken from that area on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

It's an issue that, officials said, neighbors in this area and others have had to deal with for months.

Following an investigation into the vandalisms and car thefts, police have made one arrested Isaac Tate following several car break-ins along the 700 block of N. 5th Street, but he said an investigation into the other break-ins is still ongoing.

Elizabeth Allen, who lives in the area of 22nd and Sansom streets, told NBC10's Miguel Martinez-Valle that not only is theft a concern, but the break-ins make the roads unsafe as broken glass can be a hazard.

"It's not ideal. Definitely I wouldn't recommend you keeping valuables in your car," she said. "But, it's more dangerous for the neighborhood and the community. You know, school's going to be started soon, kids walking around, people just driving getting glass in their tires or their shoes..."

According to police, they have gotten reports of similar break-ins from across the area as there were issues along Pennsylvania Avenue in the city's Fairmount neighborhood back in May then more vandalism and break-ins near the intersection of Wallace and Brown streets in June.

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Then, in July, police said that they fielded a number of reports from break-ins in the area of Locust and Sansom streets.

Police officials have said they are investigating to determine any of the recent incidents are connected and are working to determine if surveillance video from the area can help identify those responsible for the ongoing issues.

An investigation, they said, is ongoing.

'There's no rhyme or reason to what they do'

And, in an update on these break-ins, on Tuesday afternoon, officials said it is a citywide problem and, there seems to be little coordination in the incidents.

"They come in quick. There's no rhyme or reason to what they do. There's no pattern," said Deputy Commissioner of Patrol Operations Michael Cram.

He did note, however, that thieves seem to be targeting more than just valuables during break-ins, car documentation is frequently being found missing in these cases.

Cram said that, more often, car owners are finding insurance, registration, titles and other paperwork is being taken in break-ins.

In discussing the ongoing investigation, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said that, with the right paperwork, thieves could make duplicate key fobs.

Vanore said that police officials plan to share more video footage from incidents throughout Center City, in the hopes of tracking down culprits.

So far, he said, officials believe the incidents target "clusters" of vehicles, they've seen between three and 22 at a time, and everything from valuables, cash and wallets to little more than pocket change is being stolen.

However, he said, police are concerned as firearms are becoming a target more and more as people are leaving them in their vehicles.

"That firearm is now another firearm that somebody is going to face, it could be a police officer or somebody from the public," Vanore said. "It's going to fall into the wrong hands."

For instance, police believe at least 15 car break-ins have happened recently along the 400 and 500 blocks of N. Front Street. In some of these cases, he said, firearms have been taken because there's an establishment there that doesn't allow firearms to be brought inside.

He said that those who leave a firearm in their vehicle could lose their permit to own a weapon because of the danger the weapons could pose.

"If you have a gun in your car and you have a gun permit, we are going to take that permit," said Vanore.