Burglar hits 6 businesses in Southwest Philadelphia in 90 minutes

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia investigators are looking for a prolific burglar who went to great lengths to conceal his identity.

Surveillance images show him wearing a white head and face covering, a baseball cap, gloves, and even a small umbrella.

Police say the suspect went on a quick but hard-hitting burglary spree.

IMAGE: Police are searching for this suspect in connection with a burglary spree in Southwest Philly.

Habtamu Shitaye, owner of Gojjo Ethiopian Restaurant on the 4500 block of Baltimore Avenue, says the thief took approximately $500 from his establishment.

“He seems to know what he is doing. He went directly to the cash register and he pulled the cash drawer, and he took the two drawers and he left,” said Shitaye.

In the end, Southwest Detectives say the suspect hit at least six businesses in West and Southwest Philadelphia, all between 1:40 a.m. and 3:05 a.m. last Thursday morning.

The Alif Brew and Mini-Mart, also on the 4500 block of Baltimore Avenue, was among the hardest hit.

Shop owner Aida Solomon says the suspect took about $1,000.

Adding insult to injury, this bandit broke the locks or smashed windows to gain access to these businesses, tacking on even more to the losses endured.

Folks from the businesses targeted say, crimes like these make you feel helpless.

Kaylyn Sidle, manager of the Knockbox Café, says, “We are definitely a small community place. So, it feels kind of weird to see someone in your space when no one else is there.”

Action News is told that at least $2,000, in total, was stolen, but the total is likely significantly higher.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact police at 215-686-TIPS.