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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.