PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police believe they have captured the person that may have been responsible for dozens of vehicle break-ins at two parking lots for the Wissahickon Trail in Valley Green.
Fifth District Captain Malachi Jones said there were close to 40 break-ins at the lots on Bells Mill Avenue and Grackyn Lane in the last several months.
A tip in June helped police zero in on a suspect, but he eluded them.
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Jones said he worked by fast-pouncing in the minute or two when there was a lull in cars pulling in and out of the lots.
Last Wednesday, though, investigators' luck changed.
Jones said an officer spotted Eric Jenkins, 42, in the Target on Ridge Avenue. Jones said when the officer stopped Jenkins, he was holding a large number of gift cards, purchased with a credit card that had just been stolen from the Bells Mill lot.
Since police suspected one person was behind the rash of break-ins, Jones believes they may have solved all of them with the arrest.
Jenkins is being hold on charges including theft and resisting arrest.
