Nether Providence Commissioner Nate Much addressed roughly 75 residents concerned about a rash of burglaries in the township and provided tips to stay safe.
But what they didn't know is that he too has been a victim.
"They went right to my bedroom, tossed my bedroom, stole all of my jewelry, everything that I owned," Much said.
There've been at least 8 burglaries in the township since July.
The method of operation?
The thief or thieves jimmy the door and go right for the master bedroom looking for jewelry.
"I walked to the back door and it was busted open; they broke the entire frame out of the backdoor of my house," Much said.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan believes several may be linked to Derrick Carter, arrested yesterday by Philadelphia police and considered the prime suspect in a burglary ring stretching from Delaware to eastern Montgomery County.
But Paula Teller is proof the burglaries don't stop with him.
Her Rogers Lane home was broken into Tuesday evening.
She left her house for just 15 minutes, but made a costly mistake - she turned off all her lights.
"You always think it's not going to happen to you; the joke used to be we didn't have anything to steal," Teller said.
The thieves got away with a computer and her jewelry.
She and Commissioner Much say homeowners need to be aware.
"My message is to be vigilant. There is no bad call. Anybody you see who is out of sorts, out of place, you need to call 911," Much said.
