Click to enlarge

The University City District has released its monthly crime update, which provides statistics on serious crimes in the area, such as aggravated assaults, robberies (armed and not armed), and burglaries. In October, 39 robberies, aggravated assaults and residential burglaries were reported in the area, and nine arrests were made in these cases, according to the report.

The report shows a sharp increase in residential burglaries – from five in July to over 20 per month in the period from August to October. This is also higher than in the fall of 2012-2014 when from 10 to 15 burglaries were reported monthly. The map shows an increase in burglaries in the western edge of the district.

Some good news is that after last month’s arrest of a suspect in connection with a string of burglaries in Powelton Village, crime numbers have fallen dramatically in that area.

Here are also useful tips from UCD on protecting your porch or residence:  Continue Reading

38th and Aspen (Google Street View image).

Police are searching for a man who they say shot and killed a 22-year-old man inside a convenience store in West Philadelphia’s Mantua neighborhood. The shooting happened on Tuesday shortly before 8:30 a.m. at J and R Perez Grocery at 38th and Aspen.

The suspect fired four shots at the victim, according to police, then got into a car and fled. The victim was taken to the hospital where he died 20 minutes later. Police say the victim was specifically targeted. There were several people inside the store when the shooting occurred, including a small child, according to police.

6ABC Action News spoke to the victim’s family and friends who identified him as Maurice McDonald. The investigation continues.

Police are looking for an unidentified man who they say slashed another man in the head on SEPTA Market-Frankford line Night Owl bus near 46th and Market.

The incident happened around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday and was a result of a fight between the men that broke out on the bus, according to police. The victim sustained a cut to his forehead and was treated at the scene by medics and then released. The suspect fled the scene.

A 19-year-old man was shot and killed near 52nd and Locust in the latest of a series of violent incidents in that area in the past few weeks.

Police say the unidentified man was shot at about 2:50 p.m. on Sunday afternoon and was taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where he died at about 3:30 p.m.

No arrests have been made and no weapon was recovered, police said.

Two men were shot during separate shootouts near the same intersection three weeks ago. No arrests were made in those shootings.

This is a reminder that monthly community meetings with the 18th Police District officers will take place on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. Residents are invited to bring their questions and concerns about crime in their area. There are three units in the 18th Police District, and each unit has its own meeting scheduled:

• Lt. Brian McBride of the University City Division of the 18th Police District and representatives of University City District will meet with community members at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore).
• The community meeting for the PSA 2 area residents (see map) will be held at the 18th Police District headquarters at 5510 Pine St.
• Lt. Sean Cobette will meet with residents of the PSA 1 area at the Christian Compassion Hall located at 6130 Cedar Ave.  Continue Reading

                   Jasmine Wright

The handyman accused of killing 27-year-old Jasmine Wright in her apartment near 50th and Locust has been held for trial.

James Harris, 56, faces murder and rape charges in the death of Wright, who had recently graduated from a Drexel University graduate program. She had been raped and strangled, according to police. Her body was found on July 15, about 24 hours after she was murdered.

Harris worked in the building but was fired about a week earlier, according to reports. Police say he still had a set of keys to the building, and his fingerprints and DNA were found on the scene.

Harris had 31 prior arrests, police said, including sexual assaults. He was also convicted in 1982 for the murder of his own father. He had been in custody since July 19, when he was detained on suspicion of robbery and trespassing for re-entering the building.