Society Hill neighbors on edge after daytime crime spree

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Residents of Philadelphia's Society Hill neighborhood are on high alert following a string of crimes that unfolded in broad daylight earlier this week.

The incidents, which include package thefts and a burglary, occurred within a four-block radius on September 17 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., according to the Delancey Square Town Watch.

Police say they are investigating the situation. Neighbors reported multiple sightings and even encounters with an unidentified man believed to be responsible. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

"We're not going to sit idly by and let somebody come to our neighborhood and do this without doing something to the best of our ability," said Joe Dain, co-founder of the Delancey Square Town Watch.

Dain said the suspect was seen targeting homes throughout the day. One resident, Frank Molloy, says the man ripped his doorbell camera off its mount while he was watching live footage.

"While I'm watching, he reaches over and pulls my Ring doorbell off its mount. Obviously, after that, I was a little bit concerned. Obviously, he didn't want to get caught, he didn't want to be photographed, and then I'm thinking maybe he's planning to come back. Stuff goes through your mind, " Molloy said.

Neighbors say the man tossed the camera into a nearby bush. Another resident, Joey Piscitello, discovered items missing from his home office the following day.

"I went in one of the rooms and there were wires hanging from the wall, and there were speakers missing, and we noticed a couple of odds and ends missing as well. Of course, it's cliché, but you feel violated and it's a little scary," Piscitello said.

Piscitello later determined the man entered his home through his courtyard and back door and then left through the front door.

His sister-in-law, who lives on the same street, said she confronted the man shortly after the crime occurred, but he ran away.

"We should all look out for each other and he was at my sister's place, so I just felt compelled to check it out," said Andrea Perrone.

Neighbors say police were present in the area when the man returned later that day, undetected.

"In just seeing how brazen he was to come back after he already walked into one house with police around the corner only led me to believe there's a possibility he'll come back because he feels emboldened, and that maybe he felt like it was an easy target," Dain said. "I'm here to say no, we're not an easy target."

Dain said the community is staying vigilant.

"Because we have such an activated community, they are paying attention, and that's what we need to do because we don't know how dangerous this guy is or is not," he said.

"I think we're all just doing what we can to look out for each other," said Perrone.

Neighbors say they haven't seen the man since Wednesday, but remain concerned he may return. They hope that if he does, police will be able to apprehend him.