A record number of Northwood and Frankford residents attended the most recent 15th District PSA meeting, which covers the southern portion of the district up to Bridge Street. Image/Philadelphia Police

At a recent Northwood Civic meeting, some members had complained about crime issues and a point was made that they should attend the PSA meeting. At the last Frankford Civic meeting, complaints about the 4700-block of Griscom and the long ongoing drug problem were raised and it was suggested that they come to the PSA meeting.

Everyone showed up, and some folks from the 4600-block of Leiper were there, as well, to get help with their drug problem. Residents of the area around Horrocks and Herbert streets reported acts of vandalism as an ongoing problem continue reading »

The two males seen in this surveillance footage are wanted for a knifepoint robbery in Mayfair. Image/Philadelphia Police

Police in the 15th District are still searching for the suspect who robbed a man at knifepoint late last month in Mayfair.

Just before 3 a.m. April 26, a car with two males inside pulled into the 7-Eleven parking lot at Cottman and Brous avenues. One of the suspects rifled through another car in lot, then approached the car’s owner when he emerged from the store. continue reading »

David Toledo has been charged with slashing tires on his neighbors' cars in Mayfair. Photo/Action News

David Toledo has been arraigned on 49 counts of criminal mischief, seven counts of possession of an instrument of crime and five counts of false reports. His bail is set at $270,000.

His neighbors and the media gathered outside his house on the 4000-block of Aldine Street last night where Mayfair Town Watch President Milt Martelack called a press conference.

For months, residents of the block had been victims of vandalism, waking up many mornings to find their tires slashed, or the air let out. David Toledo was among them, but it turns out he isn’t a victim.

“He betrayed us,” Martelack told NEast Philly late Wednesday afternoon after initial reports indicated Toledo was a town watch member. In fact, Toldeo never received town watch training. Instead, Martelack believes Toldeo expressed interest in joining the rejuvenated neighborhood watch group to get a sense of how it works so he could proceed to vandalize several dozen cars on his own block. continue reading »

Surveillance footage shows a theft in the basement at SmokeEaters Pub. Image/Philadelphia Police

Police in the 15th District are looking for the man seen stealing from raffle baskets at a firefighters fundraiser Friday night.

SmokeEaters Pub in Holmesburg held a benefit for deceased firefighters Robert Neary and Daniel Sweeney. During the party, a suspect was seen on surveillance camera cutting into and stealing from raffle baskets meant for the fundraiser. Neary and Sweeney died last weekend battling a factory fire in Kensington. continue reading »

Mayfair Town Watch President Milt Martelack addresses the tire slashings at the group's late February meeting.

Police have arrested a man wanted in connection with some of the recent tire slashings in the 15th District.

Quincy Kramer, 21, is charged with slashing nine tires on the 3300-block of Cottman Avenue. He was seen on surveillance video the police department released Saturday after a suspect was seen slashing tires Thursday night near Cottman and Rowland avenue. continue reading »

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Police in the 15th District shot a man last night who allegedly aimed his car at the officers in Tacony. The suspect was wounded during a pursuit on the 6300-block of Edmund Street [Philly.com].

A bicyclist was injured early Monday morning when he was struck by a pickup truck at Academy Road and Linden Avenue. The driver did stop and so far no charges have been filed [CBS3].

An elderly man died late Monday after being struck by a car at Frankford Avenue and Academy Road. Police are still investigating the crash and the driver, who did stop [Action News].

Security footage, courtesy of the Philadelphia Police Department

Police in the 15th District are searching for the man who robbed the TD Bank at 6635 Frankford Ave. Monday.

The suspect took off on foot after handing the teller a threatening note around 3 p.m. He is described as white, 40 to 45 years old, 180lbs. and clean-shaven with a reddish, ruddy complexion. He was last seen wearing a black zip-up hoodie. continue reading »

Mayfair Town Watch President Milt Martelack addresses the group about recent acts of vehicle vandalism.

What was supposed to be a small, short meeting about the Shamrock Shuttle turned into a larger, longer meeting that drew Philadelphia’s TV news channels.

Mayfair Town Watch President Milt Martelack reorganized the meeting schedule to address recent acts of “isolated” vandalism in the neighborhood. Over the last few weeks, residents have woken up to find their cars vandalized – graffitied on, or tires slashed or missing.

“This shows that there’s still people in Mayfair that care,” Martelack said of meeting turnout. Despite concerns from some in attendance that more people should have been there, Martelack reminded the approximately 30 or so people there that the meeting had been called just a few days before.

“We’re taking baby steps but these baby steps are turning into big steps.” continue reading »

Former 15th District Police Office Kenneth Crockett has been sentenced to probation after being convicted in October of stealing from Pat’s Cafe in Northwood.

Crockett was charged in July with stealing $825 from the bar following a police investigation. The Walton Park resident and two other officers were at the bar after an unfounded burglary call nearby. The other officers were cleared. continue reading »

Photo/Philadelphia Police

Police have recovered the body of Judith Franzen, who went missing from her Wissinoming home Jan. 2.

Franzen, 73, was found dead in her neighbor’s garage — on the same block as her own home on the 6200-block of Cottage Street. Northeast Detectives sought help from the public in locating Franzen, who suffered from diabetes and dementia. The investigation continues, but no foul play is suspected in Franzen’s death.