Police: Suspect sought for 5 burglaries in Delaware County

DREXEL HILL, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police are hoping a surveillance video of an alleged serial burglar will help capture the man who police say is connected to five burglaries in Delaware County.

The video shows the alleged suspect with a rock in his hand, and throwing it at the front window of Sciarrino's Pizzeria in Springfield on February 13.

He allegedly throws the rock several times, then kicks through the glass. After briefly walking away when cars pass, the finally makes a hole big enough to climb through, He spends some time inside and eventually leaves.

Police have connected the suspect to four other recent burglaries in which he smashes through the storefronts with a rock and hits the registers.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said, "This guy is desperate. Our goal is to get him and get him in custody."

Superintendent Chitwood believes the man is after cash to buy drugs.

Police say the suspect hit Dragon II Chinese restaurant in Drexel Hill early last Friday morning.

Around 1 a.m. Monday, police say he struck again at three nearby stores in the Drexeline Shopping Center, Anthony's Takeout, Perfect Circle Pizza Bakery, and the Dollar Spot.

"He has I guess a piece of rock. We found it over there. Hit the door and smashed the window and came in," said Dollar Spot owner Joe Ibrahim.

Ibrahim said they lost more than $100 from the register. They already replaced the door.

Over at the Perfect Circle, co-owner Carl Lange says they lost several hundred dollars, and just like at the Dollar Spot, the damage from the door won't reach their deductible, so it comes out of pocket.

He said, "It's just kind of frustrating. You come in day in and day out trying to make money to pay the bills, and people come in and try to take the easy way."

Police have several clips of surveillance video to work with, and they also received some tips on the identity of the alleged suspect.

Investigators say they submitted a DNA sample after blood was left on the register.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.