Residential Burglaries – Arrests

Case 12-034074
Residential Burglaries – Arrests
January 17, 2013

Beginning in December 2011 and continuing through November 2012, there were a rash of daytime, residential burglaries throughout Montgomery and Delaware Counties. Investigators developed a suspect in the break-ins – Derrick CARTER, of the 4600 block of Sheffield Street in Philadelphia, who is believed to be the ring leader. As a result of this information, Abington Police Department initiated a Burglary Task Force involving, among other departments, Upper Dublin Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Montgomery County Detectives, Lower Merion Police, and Philadelphia Police. The Task Force’s investigation led them to New Castle County, Delaware, where CARTER was also suspected of committing burglaries. Derrick CARTER was arrested by the Task Force on November 26, 2012, after he was observed committing burglaries in Delaware County, PA and New Castle County, Delaware. He was taken into custody in Philadelphia after trying to strike a Philadelphia Officer with his vehicle and leading police on a high-speed pursuit. CARTER had been held in Philadelphia Prison since his arrest.

Further investigation lead investigators to other suspects and additional arrests. All suspects were charged jointly by Abington and Lower Merion Police Departments. On January 11, 2013, Abington and Philadelphia Officers arrested Akim HARRIS of the 1800 block of Widener Place, Philadelphia. HARRIS was charged with two counts of burglary related charges. He is currently being held in Montgomery County Correctional Facility on $250,000 bail. On January 17, 2013, Derrick CARTER was transported from Philadelphia Prison to Montgomery County. He was charged with 26 burglaries, 7 attempted burglaries and numerous other related charges. He was arraigned in Lower Merion on January 17, 2013 and transported to Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post $250,000 bail. A third defendant, Simon JOHNSON, of the 5600 block of Malvern Avenue is already in custody on un-related charges. JOHNSON will be charged shortly with two counts of burglary related charges.

Approved for Release by: Deputy Chief John A. Livingood