Watch: New surveillance videos released after widespread looting across Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA - Last week’s widespread looting across Philadelphia stretched the resources of the Philadelphia Police Department as they worked to maintain a level of control over marauding adults seemingly intent on stealing items from stores.
The following is a showcase of various surveillance videos from inside those stores, showcasing the individuals during the crime spree. Police released the videos in the hope of identifying those participating in the looting and bringing them to justice.
Anyone with information regarding any one of the people shown is urged to contact police.
North 29th Street Young's Beauty Supply in Strawberry Mansion
North 5th Street Super Drug Pharmacy
Bustleton Avenue Target in Northeast Philadelphia
Walnut Street Apple Store
Foulkrod Street Family Dollar
Lansdowne Avenue Rite Aid
North 52nd Street Dunkin’
Lancaster Avenue Dollar General
North 63rd Street Walgreens
Acting Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford says no matter how upset anyone is with the criminal justice system, looting is never the answer.
"No reason why we should think it’s okay for people to go in and steal any dollar amount and that is okay in the city. There are too many business owners that work too hard," Stanford said. "Should not be done through the way of destroying your own community, your own neighborhood, the neighborhoods that so many people have worked so hard to build over the years."
"As we know, free speech is not the same thing as breaking into stores and stealing and the people who have been involved in this unrest will be addressed individually," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said.
At a summit on crime Saturday, Acting Commissioner Stanford and DA Krasner both spoke about what’s next for the people already under arrest.
"We’re going to prosecute people in an even-handed way. We are not going to let any judge who thinks there is a caste system, and some people get better treatment than others. We are not going to let any judge disturb the peace of this city," DA Krasner explained.
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Krasner calls it individual justice and says everyone involved in the looting will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. "We will look carefully to see whether this is a one-off situation and they are fundamentally, law-abiding people, hold them accountable one way. Or whether they are criminals and they are all about taking advantage of some sort of unrest for their own benefit. And they will be prosecuted another way."
Acting Commissioner Stanford says he knows people are frustrated and want justice. "Not based on anyone’s personal ideology. It’s just coming down to what this city needs and what so many communities are asking for."
He says he knows what’s right for the city is never easy. "Have the balance of not arresting or having everyone stay in jail forever. But, I think there’s some folks that need to have the strong consequences of being prosecuted and being held accountable with proper sentences."
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