Suspect identified for burglaries in Philadelphia and multiple suburbs

LOWER MERION TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A suspect has been identified for a series of burglaries in Philadelphia and several communities in the suburbs.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 39-year-old Erik Gomez, formerly of Levittown, Pennsylvania.

The suspect has been caught on surveillance video a number of times, including on the day before Thanksgiving while breaking into a home in Gladwyne.

Lower Merion Twp. police were notified, and as the investigation unfolded it became clear that this was not an isolated case.

Over the next several days, investigators gathered reports of a similar-looking man, usually wearing red gloves, breaking into homes in the Roxborough and Fishtown sections of Philadelphia and in Media, Delaware County.

In the Fishtown case, the suspect was recorded smashing a window in the home of Alice Thomas.

She quickly took a video and posted it on Facebook. That decision quickly paid dividends.

"Through people commenting and leaving tips, we were able to figure out who he is, and sent all that information to the police," Thomas said.

Fortunately, the suspect fled the scene before entering Alice's house.

The same cannot be said for John Sinis and Selma Salim who live just a few blocks away.

A burglar, matching the suspect's description, broke into their home and stole electronics, jewelry, and Selma's passport.

"We now are paying $70 a month. And we have three cameras. Too little, too late now, but we're a little safer feeling that way," Sinis said.

Lower Merion police are hopeful Gomez will do the right thing.

"This time of year people are very concerned, and I think it would be in everyone's best interest if he turned himself in. Sooner or later he's going to break into the wrong house and we don't want that to happen," said Lt. Justin Jefferson.

Thomas said she is thankful that a little detective work on her part helped move this investigation in the right direction.

"I'm happy to have had a helping hand in this. Obviously, I don't want this to happen to anyone else. So, if we can stop that, then my job is done," she said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-649-1000.