Since the burglar or burglars hit while people are at work it has residents on edge, not knowing what they'll find when they come home.
"It's like living in a prison in your own home. You never know when you're really safe," said Imaly Aponte of Roxborough.
The burglars apparently spend time casing the neighborhood, looking for houses that appear vulnerable.
Typically they go around back and pry open the door.
"It's obvious they're using some type of tool to pry these doors and windows. In some of the cases they're not even making entry, but they're giving it a shot," said Lt. Frank Vanore of the Philadelphia Police.
Police have stepped up patrols in the area. They don't know yet if they're dealing with just one individual or a burglary ring.
Whoever's doing it is quick. They get in and out unnoticed, taking mostly just small items like jewelry, although they did come out of one house with a flat panel television.
The word has spread and residents are being extra cautious.
Doors are locked and lights are on at night, but the burglaries continue.
Police are asking residents to be on the look-out for anything out of the ordinary.
Janet Szeliga says if she and her husband see a stranger when they leave the house, they circle the block just to make sure their home hasn't been broken into.
"It's just terrible, it's unfair. It's unfair to people that have what they have and don't want to lose it," Szeliga said.
The police are encouraging residents to get involved and to call 911 if anything at all looks suspicious.
Until the burglars are caught, they say it's also a good idea to beef up your door and window locks.
You can get the latest crime statistics from the Philadelphia Police by CLICKING HERE for the force's crime data mapping site.
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