Copper thief burgles same Southwest Philadelphia church twice
Police are looking for a man caught on video burglarizing the Straight Gate Church in Southwest Philadelphia twice. He allegedly stole $11,500 worth of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures.
Police are looking for a man who burglarized the same Southwest Philadelphia church on two separate occasions, making away with more than $11,000 in copper pipes and plumbing fixtures.
The suspect first struck around 4 a.m. Dec. 13, parking a black SUV near the Straight Gate Church at 6000 Elmwood Ave.
Surveillance video shows the man entering the church by jumping over a side fence and breaking through a side door.
He exited about an hour later, carrying two large bags containing about $3,500 worth of piping and fixtures, and was last seen driving his SUV east on Elmwood Avenue, police said.
The second break-in occurred around 7:30 a.m. this past Sunday, Jan. 25.
Police said the man again pulled up to the block in a dark-colored SUV, vaulted a fence and broke into the church.
About an hour later, surveillance cameras caught him dragging a large plastic trashcan off the property and loading it into his vehicle.
Police said it contained about $8,000 worth of copper pipe and fixtures.
The suspect is described as a black male between the ages of 35 and 40 with a medium build and light facial hair. He was last seen wearing black winter coveralls with white trim, a black winter hat, black gloves and black-and-white sneakers, police said.
He is believed to be operating a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Lincoln Navigator, Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Brady, of the Southwest Detective Division, at 215-686-3183 or 3184, or to submit an anonymous tip online.