I spent a half hour or so, between 5:30 and 6 PM, chasing two purse
thieves and talking to Police Officers McBride and Oreo (no kidding).
Two thrill seekers, age about 12, black and male were racing down the
street in possession of a quilted bag.
It was a large, 'crunchy' item, colored with a white base, densely
covered in paisleyish medallions in green and blue.
Since the purse seemed a major style clash with the running shoes,
gender, age and Tommy Hilferty styling, of the two 5' tall, medium brown
boys, there was a "what's wrong with this picture" element to the event.
Shortly thereafter I passed a distraught woman, I started an exchange
yelled from my car to her in the parking lane, which confirmed her purse
had just been stolen.
I dialed 911 and chased the kids north on 46th.
I yelled "Drop the Bag" every few car lengths.
They'd get ahead when I caught a light, and I'd catch up on the
stretches.
Pursuit started south of Spruce and ended at Market where chain link
barriers stopped my car.
The kids raced across Market, up the hill behind Aldi's and appeared
headed for the projects.
The cops caught up with us north of Chestnut.
One car headed east on Ludlow, probably headed towards the logical end
point.
The other car stopped near me, and took details.
As I was chasing the kids, they were throwing items out of the purse as
they dug for the items they wanted.
My passenger followed the route and gathered up
2 smaller purses that had been inside
a hair brush,
a small green journal
and a few other items, and finally
the quilted purse.
These items were turned over to McBride and Oreo.
I headed back to where I had seen the victim and she was gone.
So...
If anyone knows of a young woman, possibly named Stephanie S. (a name on
an end page of the journal), who drives a "car share" car, and who had
her purse stolen today, please let her know that any money, ID, credit
cards or cell phone that were in the purse were not found, but the other
items, that might be a comfort to recover, can be picked up, probably at
55th and Pine. Feel free to forward the message. Better she should get
multiple announcements of the recovery than none.
I am sorry the kids were not caught.
Unless the police catch them with her ID in hand they would probably not
be caught.
To the victim:
I am sorry two thrill seeking punks were motivated to take your purse,
possibly wrecking your day.
I hope tomorrow is better.
These kids were young, and fit and should have been in an after school
program for art or sports.
They were having too much fun with the theft and even the chase.
It seemed that opportunity and fun, not need was their motive.
They need some retraining and different opportunities.
People like
Bruce Andersen,
Lauren Leatherbarrow,
Leland Mayne,
Vivianne Nachmias,
Betty Allen,
Cyndy Preston and
many others
especially good teachers and
coaches
who volunteer time to give kids (not just their own)
attention,
tools (like books and reading, and bike repair),
skills (like cooking, first aid, camping, etc.)
fitness, and
a sense of the larger community and
opportunities to build a better future
are models I deeply admire.
The cops responded quickly and courteously.
I wish their assistance had not been necessary or that the outcome had
been a full recovery of lost items.
I hope the young woman who lost her purse makes peace quickly with this
bad event and takes all necessary steps (like cancelling her credit
cards) to make sure it has no further negative consequences.
Today some of our neighbors celebrate the beginning of important holy
days.
Today is also International Peace Day.
I hope each of us makes some time to think and or pray and or act for
peace.
Best!
Liz
Elizabeth Campion Cell Phone: 215-880-2930
215-546-0550 Main, -546-9871 fax, Desk + VM: 215-790-5653
PRUDENTIAL, FOX & ROACH REALTORS, LLC
Please read Consumer Notice & enjoy "HOME PILOT" tools at
www.PruFoxRoach.com
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