Man accused of TV and computer thefts arrested

A man accused of stealing flat-screen televisions and laptop computers from homes in South Philadelphia over the last two months has been taken into custody and charged, police said yesterday.

Peter Rauchet, 41, of the 2200 block of South Street, is charged with burglary and related offenses for 12 burglaries in South Philadelphia since Dec. 7.

Police said he forced open the doors of apartment buildings and individual apartments, from which in most cases expensive electronic equipment was stolen. After police identified him as their suspect, plainclothes officers saw Rauchet try to burglarize properties in the 2100 block of Pine Street and the 2300 block of Delancey Place, authorities said.

Police are struggling to reduce property crime. Last year, violent crime decreased 3 percent across the city, but property crime increased 1 percent. Police reported residential burglaries were up 15 percent last year compared to 2007.

- Barbara Boyer