Take Back Your Neighborhood last week held a brief meeting and a holiday party.
At the Dec. 15 meeting, members lit a candle for the second night of Hanukkah. Former TBYN member Pam Baranackie, now living in Quakertown, returned and arranged for a hoagie delivery from Fink’s.
Representing the 2nd Police District were new Lt. Justin Morris and longtime community relations officer Mark Mroz.
Mroz said the number of murders in the district decreased from 10 last year to six this year. He said there have been 1,034 cars stolen in the district this year, an increase from a year ago.
Other crimes are down, and the district has increased its number of car stops and truant and curfews pickups.
Police arrested Nikale Brandon Mitchell, 35, in connection with three November armed commercial robberies that occurred at the Exxon “K-Shop,” located at 7980 Verree Road. During each incident, the offender entered the business, brandished a black handgun, threatened to shoot store employees and stole money, Pennsylvania Lottery tickets and tobacco/vape products. In all, he allegedly stole about $2,700 in cash. Mitchell, who lives in an apartment on the 7500 block of Verree Road, was arrested while operating a stolen U-Haul truck. Officers recovered a handgun, scratch-off tickets and vape products later identified as stolen during the robberies. At Mitchell’s home, detectives recovered clothing items matching those worn by the offender. Gaming machine keys stolen during one robbery were located among Mitchell’s belongings. Mitchell is charged with Robbery, Violations of the Uniform Firearms Act and Theft.
Mroz cautioned TBYN members that porch pirates are trying door handles and have been able to enter seven homes in the district.
“Now, they’re getting greedy. Lock your doors,” he said. ••
