Spring Break
Suspect arrested for recent fraternity, sorority burglaries
Stephanie Takach
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: News
The University of Pennsylvania police arrested Jerry Porter, a suspect in the recent burglaries that occurred between Sept. 14 and Oct. 7 in local Drexel fraternity and sorority residences, as well as at Penn, according to Jim Katsaounis, executive director and senior vice president of Student Life and Administrative Services.
The burglaries occurred in the residences along north 34th Street and Powelton Avenue between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. Stolen items include unsecured valuables such as laptops, iPods and cash.
"The suspect was arrested by the University of Pennsylvania police while attempting another burglary," Katsaounis wrote in an e-mail.
According to Dominic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president for Public Safety, the individual was also arrested at Penn for many of the same crimes at the sorority and fraternity houses.
"He used the same mode of operations, went during move-in and found propped doors and mixed in with crowds," Ceccanecchio said.
The suspect, Jerry Porter, was arrested at 4:00 a.m. at 39th and Spruce streets, according to the Public Safety web site. The web site describes Porter as a black male, 6'3", 210 pounds, bald, with brown eyes and wearing casual clothing.
According to Katsaounis, the Departments of Public Safety and University Housing are both actively educating each fraternity and sorority house on safety tips. He also said none of the burglaries were by forced entry. The suspect most likely entered the properties through doors that were being propped open by the residents.
"With a lot of thefts and burglaries there's no forced entry, no evidence of force," Ceccanecchio said. "We find propped doors and unlocked doors, it happens from groups of students going into buildings together."
He said the safety tips go for everyone.
"Don't prop your doors open, make sure you lock your doors, make sure that if you have any problems and windows you contact facilities and they'll work to get it corrected," Ceccanecchio said.
Ceccanecchio also warned about leaving valuables unattended, especially when visitors are coming through the house.
According to the web site, the perpetrator has been very polite when confronted and portrays the appearance of being lost. There have been no threats made by the perpetrator and there have been no injuries, according to the web site.
Public Safety distributed a photo of the suspect, which has led to a positive identification. The Philadelphia Police Department Southwest Detectives Division is actively pursuing the person of interest.
The burglaries occurred in the residences along north 34th Street and Powelton Avenue between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. Stolen items include unsecured valuables such as laptops, iPods and cash.
"The suspect was arrested by the University of Pennsylvania police while attempting another burglary," Katsaounis wrote in an e-mail.
According to Dominic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president for Public Safety, the individual was also arrested at Penn for many of the same crimes at the sorority and fraternity houses.
"He used the same mode of operations, went during move-in and found propped doors and mixed in with crowds," Ceccanecchio said.
The suspect, Jerry Porter, was arrested at 4:00 a.m. at 39th and Spruce streets, according to the Public Safety web site. The web site describes Porter as a black male, 6'3", 210 pounds, bald, with brown eyes and wearing casual clothing.
According to Katsaounis, the Departments of Public Safety and University Housing are both actively educating each fraternity and sorority house on safety tips. He also said none of the burglaries were by forced entry. The suspect most likely entered the properties through doors that were being propped open by the residents.
"With a lot of thefts and burglaries there's no forced entry, no evidence of force," Ceccanecchio said. "We find propped doors and unlocked doors, it happens from groups of students going into buildings together."
He said the safety tips go for everyone.
"Don't prop your doors open, make sure you lock your doors, make sure that if you have any problems and windows you contact facilities and they'll work to get it corrected," Ceccanecchio said.
Ceccanecchio also warned about leaving valuables unattended, especially when visitors are coming through the house.
According to the web site, the perpetrator has been very polite when confronted and portrays the appearance of being lost. There have been no threats made by the perpetrator and there have been no injuries, according to the web site.
Public Safety distributed a photo of the suspect, which has led to a positive identification. The Philadelphia Police Department Southwest Detectives Division is actively pursuing the person of interest.
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