Car thefts and break-ins surge at Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Hill complex

Philadelphia police have stepped up patrols at Rittenhouse Hill Apartment Complex in East Falls after a wave of car thefts and break-ins. One resident has filed a lawsuit against the property owner.

Philadelphia police deploy extra patrols at East Falls complex amid parking lot crime wave

Philadelphia police have increased patrols — including plainclothes officers — around the Rittenhouse Hill Apartment Complex in East Falls following a significant rise in car thefts and break-ins at the property's parking lot, 6abc.com reports.

According to police, 21 car break-ins and three vehicle thefts were recorded at the complex last year. So far this year, eight cars have been broken into and seven have been stolen.

Resident hit repeatedly

Tenant Jonathan Hale has been among the hardest hit. In July 2024, his Honda was stolen from the parking lot — a space he pays $50 a month to use. "It took them about 10 days to find my vehicle, and it was declared a total loss at that point," he told Action News.

Months later, in October, his replacement car was broken into while parked on the same lot. Hale said at least 10 to 15 other vehicles were targeted the same day. "Safelite was here with like three vehicles fixing cars," he said.

This past May, his car was broken into again and all four tyres were stolen. A week later, another Honda Accord in the lot was targeted, followed by further break-ins affecting other tenants in the days that followed.

Hale said frustrated residents have raised the issue with building management repeatedly. "So far, management hasn't really done anything," he said.

Management silent, lawsuit filed

On Wednesday, Action News spoke with the property manager at Rittenhouse Hill, who referred reporters to Post Brothers — the company that owns the complex along with seven other apartment buildings in Philadelphia. Post Brothers had not responded by the time of publication.

Hale has filed a lawsuit against Post Brothers in small claims court and has contacted the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office to lodge a consumer complaint. He says he has made multiple attempts to secure reimbursement for thousands of dollars spent on repairs, and has called on management to bolster security for himself and the hundreds of other tenants at the property.

"I want to come home and feel safe — not having to worry about whether my car is going to be there or be destroyed the next day," Hale said.

Fellow resident Taelor Schoolfield, who has not yet had her own car targeted, said the situation weighs on the community. "It's very concerning because overall, we're all working. We're all in the same boat. It's rough," she said.

Philadelphia police confirmed the increased patrols and said plainclothes officers have also been assigned to the area.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)