We are passing along information about an incident that happened to a neighbor near 48th and Hazel this week. Police advise being cautious when using your cell phone in public.

Alissa was walking down the street with her baby daughter in late afternoon and talking on her phone (an iPhone) when a man ran up to her and grabbed her phone. Alissa wasn’t able to give a detailed description because it happened too fast. Here’s what she writes:

“I just wanted to let everyone know that my iPhone was stolen from my hand (while I was talking on it) on Tuesday, 6/12 on the 4800 block of Hazel Ave at 4:45 PM. The person who took it ran up from behind me, snatched my phone from my hand and continued running very fast. I was carrying my 1 year old daughter in a carrier at the time, so I was quite upset about it. The guy didn’t hurt me or my daughter. He did knock my glasses off, but I think that was accidental since he grabbed the phone when it was up against my ear. We are OK and we filed a police report, but they don’t anticipate finding him or the phone. The police were very responsive and helpful though. They came about 2 minutes after calling 911. We tried to track the phone, but he immediately turned it off and hasn’t turned it on since. I just wanted to give everyone a warning… Please be very careful with having your cell phones out when you are walking around.”

Phone snatching is on the increase around the city.

The Southwest Detectives Division encourage citizens to participate in their recently launched anti-burglary program Operation ID. Currently the program is piloting in West Philly (12th, 16th, 18th, and 19th Districts) and is coming soon to the entire city. The program has existed in other cities for decades. Here is the national site.

The program participants receive specially coded labels to tag their valuable items that the police could trace back to them in case they get stolen. Police say that thieves and burglars are “less likely to steal an item that can be positively identified and that will be difficult to sell.” The labels will also aid in locating owners of the stolen or lost property and help criminal prosecution in pursuing the case through the courts. Finally, item identification should help in recovery as stolen or lost property is more likely to be returned to the owner.

In addition to the labels, those who participate in the program receive special window stickers (pictured) to discourage burglary at your place.

OK it’s not an armed guard at your door, but every little bit of prevention is useful.

If you are interested in applying for this program, go here for more information and to download an application form or stop by your police district. NOTE: You need to be a Pennsylvania citizen to be accepted in the program.

Here is more information on the 12th, 16th, 18th and 19th District headquarters:

12th District
65th St. and Woodland Ave.
police.co_12@phila.gov
215-686-3120

16th District
39th St and Lancaster Ave.
police.co_16@phila.gov
215-686-3160

18th District
55th St and Pine St.
police.co_18@phila.gov
215-686-3180

19th District
61st St and Thompson St.
police.co_19@phila.gov
215-686-3190

A reader wrote us this morning about gunfire at 49th and Walton early this morning. Police confirmed that a man was shot while being robbed early at the corner of 49th Street and Walton. The victim was standing on the porch talking on the phone when two unknown men approached him, pointing a black handgun at him. They took the man’s wallet and then shot him in the left leg. They also took his phone but then threw it back at him. The incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Monday morning.

The victim was transported to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The attackers, African American males, fled in a silver two-door Ford. The victim was alone at the time of the incident.

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Police are seeking residents’ help getting those pesky – and often dangerous – dirt bikes and ATVs off the streets.

Most of these things are illegal and they become more pervasive in the summer months, prompting concern across the city, including residents of West Philadelphia. Police are asking that if you see one on the street to call 911.

Here are a few other things to know when reporting an illegal use of these vehicles:

“Be prepared to provide a description of the vehicle and its operator,” according to Philly Police Blog. “Understand that these bikes and ATVs are moving vehicles and are often not in the area when an officer responds. Officers are trained to evaluate the danger that stopping these vehicles will pose to the public before attempting to pull it over. Also, it is important that citizens make every attempt to stay out of the way of these violators to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.”

You can also help the police if you can provide information about who has this vehicle, where it is stored, or if it is stolen. You can submit this information as a tip. You can send your tip as a text message to short code PPDTIP, email it to tips@PhillyPolice.com, or call 215-686-TIPS(8477).

A reader alerted us about flyers like the one above recently posted by police in the area surrounding 51st and Catharine Streets. The flyer says that on April 25, 2012, at around 6:48 a.m. a 17 year-old female was walking to school when she observed a young man sitting on the steps of a residence located at 644 S. 51st Street. The man stood up, grabbed the girl from behind holding a knife to her neck and dragged her to the rear of the alleyway where he began to cut and rip her clothing. The girl began to struggle and was able to break free and run home.

The attacker was last seen running between the 5100 blocks of Catharine and Walton Streets. He is described as a 20-year-old African American male, dark skin, 5’9″, medium build and clean shaven. He was wearing a black hooded jacket and brown Timberland boots.

Anyone with information is asked to call Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251/3252.

The search continues for a man wanted on assault charges who threw a hot cup coffee on a female employee at the Fresh Donuts store at 3914 Lancaster Avenue on May 8. The incident took place just after 11:00 a.m. as the man placed an order for food. As the employee was preparing the order, the man began arguing over payment. During the argument the man grabbed a cup of hot coffee and threw it on the employee, causing severe burns. The man was accompanied by a second male and was seen arriving in a tan or gold Cadillac.

The police released surveillance video of the incident (see below).

The suspect is described as a 52-year-old African American male, 6’2″, 200 lbs, with mustache. He was wearing glasses, a tan suit and tie, tan shoes and a gold watch.

If you have any information about this person or this crime, please contact Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183/3184 DC# 12-16-019276. If you see this man, call 911 immediately.