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Forty-two crimes were reported in the University City area in September and nine arrests were made, according to this month’s UCD Crime Update. The number of robberies and armed robberies was down in comparison to the report published in April 2019, but the number of thefts from automobiles remained high since May.

Three gunpoint robberies were reported last month – at 49th and Hazel, 43rd and Chester and 32nd and Powelton (see map). An arrest was made in the Powelton robbery. Unarmed robberies took place at 41st and Walnut and 38th and Market, according to the report.

As for car break-ins and thefts from cars, 14 cases were reported in September in the area, and two arrests were made. There were also seven reports of stolen vehicles.  Continue Reading

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A relatively high number of crimes has been reported in the University City District area last month. In March, 33 crimes serious crimes, including gunpoint robberies, residential burglaries, aggravated assaults with a gun, stolen cars and thefts from cars, were committed within the UCD boundaries and reported to the police, according to the latest UCD Crime Update. Twelve arrests were made in connection to those crimes, according to the report.

The UCD Public Safety Division alerts residents to a high number of robberies in March (they say that this trend has continued in April), particularly near the Market-Frankford Line and several trolley stops (see map below).  Continue Reading

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According to a University City District (UCD) crime update released last week, 43 serious crimes were reported in the boundaries that UCD covers in January, including five gunpoint robberies, three unarmed robberies, two aggravated assaults with a gun, and four residential burglaries. There were also multiple thefts from cars last month, according to the report.

Three arrests were made last month – one in connection to a robbery, and two for an aggravated assault. Most of the crimes were concentrated between 41st and 49th Streets (see the map).  Continue Reading

A recent crime update distributed by the University City District is a reason for concern. After several calm months, UCD is reporting a “substantial spike” in robberies and residential burglaries in the area last month. Overall, 47 serious crimes were committed in the UCD service area in October, according to the report (see map below). Arrests related to 10 of these crimes were made.

There were 11 armed and 12 unarmed robberies and 23 residential burglaries in October. Most of the burglaries took place in Spruce Hill (between Spruce St and Baltimore Ave). Arrests were made in relation to four of these burglaries. It’s worth mentioning that the previous worst month in terms of residential burglaries this year was March when over 30 burglary incidents were reported.

In addition to serious crimes, UCD also reports a large number of thefts from vehicles last month, which may be tied to several large events being held in the area.

Since days are getting shorter and most of robberies happen at night, please stay alert when walking or running after dark.

Serious Crimes in October, 2014 (courtesy of UCD).

There were 44 serious crimes committed within West Philadelphia’s University City District (UCD) boundaries (river to 50th Street, Market to Woodland) last month, which is the highest since last October. These crimes include 24 robberies  – 12 armed robberies (six in April) and 12 robberies with no weapon (eight in April). There was a slight decrease in residential burglaries though in comparison to April – from 17 to 13. The University City District reports that 12 related arrests have already been made.

While the new crime data provided by UCD in their monthly crime update distributed to email subscribers is somewhat worrying, the increase in criminal activity is typical for warmer months and usually subsides when the weather gets too hot in the summer and in colder months. It is always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings at all times and to use a Walking Escort in the area to accompany you late at night or when you feel unsafe. UCD reminds that you can call 215-898-9255 or 215-387-3942 between 10 a.m. – 3 a.m. and a UCD Ambassador will be dispatched.

Police are still searching for a man who is wanted in a string of armed robberies around West Philly last week. He allegedly robbed a laundromat and nail salons along Chestnut Street, according to Det. Joe Murray of the Southwest Detectives.

The man is described as a black male about 20-30 years old and about 5-feet, 7-inches tall with short hair and a short beard. He has exhibited violent behavior during the robberies, Murray said.

Police are looking for him in connection with the following crimes:

• During mid-afternoon on July 30, a worker at the Emerald Laundromat said a man had been sitting on a chair in the establishment for about 30 minutes before the man pulled out a small black handgun and stuck in the worker’s neck and demanded money. He fled with $350 from the register.

• On August 2 at about 11 a.m., a man entered the Myly Nail Salon at 6214 Landsdowne Ave. with a black handgun and demanded money. The man took an envelope from the counter with $100 along with a cell phone. Police say the man held the gun to the salon owner’s head and said: “Shut up, do you want to die?” He then fled the store. Continue Reading