Detectives can probably rule out one suspect in a rash of automobile break-ins on Sunday night in Rhawnhurst. It wasn’t Joe Isuzu.
On the contrary, the crooks appeared to be fixated on Hondas, 10 of them in fact, all late-model Accords and Civics. In each case, they stole the safety airbag from the steering column.
Philadelphia police were called to the neighborhood at about 9 p.m. when a victim reported one of the thefts. Investigators soon found similar thefts had occurred on the following blocks: 8200 Eastwood St., 2200 Hoffnagle St., 1800 Strahle St., 2300 Benson St., 8100 Summerdale Ave., and 1800 Arthur St. An additional theft occurred in Lexington Park on the 8100 block of Revere St. All of the targeted cars were model years 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Police didn’t say if the crooks gained access to the cars by force or if they unlocked the cars.
As a result of the crimes, detectives are now reviewing all thefts from auto cases dating back to Jan. 1 to compile a complete list of airbag-related cases. Detectives are also canvassing the blocks of the latest thefts to find surveillance video. Police had no suspect descriptions as of Tuesday. ••
