of vandalism
By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer
Jack Hill, Dave Tuley and their fellow members of the Macalester-Torresdale Presbyterian Church have seen plenty of troublemakers come and go in the 40-plus years since their church moved to the corner of Morrell and East Crown avenues.
But few, if any, have been more troublesome than the batch currently antagonizing the Far Northeast congregation.
Hill, the church’s sexton, and Tuley, the church’s property committee chairman, have been struggling for the last couple of months to keep up with repairs to the damage left by church trespassers.
The primary problem, they say, has been graffiti. But that’s just the latest vandalism affecting the house of worship.
Hill and Tuley now hope that if they draw more public attention to the issue, perhaps it will end once and for all — or at least for the time being.
"This has been an ongoing affair for years," Hill said last week while pointing out the spots on the church most recently defaced by paint-wielding vandals.
"We’ve been here since 1964. One year, we had to get the windows repaired and it cost us $1,400. One year, they tore the back fence down. When the kids that are doing it grow older, it seems to die down. But then a new batch comes along and it picks up again."
The church has about 60 members, including a large number of senior citizens. It represents a merger of two earlier congregations, the Macalester and Torresdale Presbyterian churches, which each date back more than a century.
This month has been particularly trying for the congregation.
"We’ve had it over the years, but not to this extent," Hill said.
"Usually they don’t keep coming back," Tuley added.
After one significant bout with graffiti in late June or early July, the vandals returned late on Aug. 4 or early Aug. 5 to strike again.
Hill and Tuley had painted over the graffiti the first time around, so the vandals treated the church like a clean slate, scrawling their names, or "tags," on doors, windows and a brick wall.
The church officers painted over the damage again, only to discover on Aug. 12 that even more damage had been done to the building during the previous night.
That time, aside from the usual tags, the unwelcome messages included a "666" satanic symbol and the words "Do not wipe off" with an arrow pointing to one of the names. They defaced the church doors again, along with a railing, a drainpipe, a patio wall and an exhaust vent.
"That’s when they really hit us heavier," Tuley said. "It got a little worse each time."
As is advised by police, the men removed or painted over the graffiti as soon as possible — to minimize the attention or name recognition sought by the vandals — but not before contacting authorities and photographing the damage for investigative purposes.
Police detectives note the names appearing in graffiti throughout the Northeast so they can link multiple instances to a single culprit or group of culprits when appropriate.
There have been no arrests in connection with the church vandalism.
The tags that have appeared on the building are not unique to the neighborhood, however. Some of the same logos are on nearby street signs and on a gate along the perimeter of the church grounds.
Tuley even saw a group of youths vandalizing a sign one time recently, but within an instant they darted around a corner and disappeared. There were about a half-dozen youths who looked big enough to be at least high-school age.
As Tuley watched one boy scribbling on the sign, he heard a girl warn the vandal, "You’re gonna get in trouble," to which the boy replied, "I’m already done. Damn I’m quick."
The graffiti may take only seconds to paint, but it takes many man-hours and plenty of elbow grease to cover up, not to mention a good bit of cash.
Paint costs $8 per quart. Hill and Tuley use at least a couple of quarts every time they have to fix the damage. Paint rollers and brushes are another expense. While Hill earns a stipend as sexton, Tuley’s job is 100 percent voluntary.
The church admittedly has few options in trying to keep out troublemakers late at night and into the early morning hours. Thick woods along the rear of the property provide a good screen for trespassers, some of whom merely use the place as a hangout or drinking spot.
In the past, the 8th Police District has assigned bicycle patrols to the area, but Hill and Tuley realize that special attention as such can’t be permanent. And the youths seem quick to figure out when the coast is clear.
The men figure that their best bet is to get more people on or around the church property more often. Services are held every Sunday morning, while a day-care service uses the church on weekdays.
Also, some new townhouses are being built next door on ground that the church sold to a developer. Hill hopes that the presence of additional families nearby will help matters.
"We’re hoping that the fact that there’s activity there and that they can see the side of the church, that they’ll stop (the vandals)," he said.
As frustrating as the graffiti problem has been lately, Hill and Tuley don’t necessarily want to see a bunch of kids get in major trouble over the issue. All the same, they want the mischief to stop, particularly considering its negative impact on a religious institution.
"I don’t know why they target us. We do a lot for the community," Hill said.
Among many other programs, the church sponsors an annual community Easter egg hunt; distributes food baskets to the needy for Thanksgiving and Christmas; and members cook meals for local homebound seniors.
"It’s not that graffiti isn’t a shame anywhere, but on a church, it’s really a shame," Tuley said. ••
Call 911 to report a crime in progress, including vandalism. Call Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153 to report information about a past crime.
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com
Neighbors aid capture
of suspect in kidnap try
Police have nabbed a Crescentville man who allegedly sexually assaulted a woman earlier this month and attempted to abduct two teenage girls last week.
Antwaine Mathis, 18, of the 500 block of E. Carver St., was arrested at about 10 p.m. Thursday after he had attempted to take two teenage girls into his car on the 300 block of Sanger St., said Capt. Jack McGinnis of Northeast Detectives.
The girls, ages 15 and 16, broke free of Mathis, who then pointed a weapon at bystanders and attempted to flee in a blue Mercury, McGinnis said. Officers from the 2nd Police District apprehended Mathis. His weapon turned out to be a pellet gun.
Lawncrest Town Watch president Ken Hyers had been in his back yard when he heard screams. He had just come from an emergency community crime meeting called by Raj Bhatka, the Republican candidate in the 13th Congressional District.
"I heard someone yell, ‘Call 911,’" Hyers told the Times.
Hyers said he startled Mathis by shining a flashlight at him. By that point, other neighbors had started coming out onto the street. He commends other residents of the block and 2nd Police District officers for their help in stopping Mathis.
"I felt like I did what I needed to do as a Town Watch member," said Hyers, who added that he was focused on getting a good look at Mathis to provide police with a description. "All the neighbors came out."
He said the girls whom Mathis allegedly attempted to abduct are still shaken but doing better.
The other incident, a sexual assault, occurred on Monday, Aug. 7, at about 12:40 a.m. in an alley behind the 200 block of E. Comly St., police said.
The 30-year-old female victim was walking home when a man approached her from behind, threatened her with a gun, forced her into an alley and assaulted her. He then fled on foot in an unknown direction.
Police contend that Mathis used a long black handgun with an ammunition clip attached during the attack. Following the incident, police released a composite sketch of the then-unknown suspect in the hope that someone would recognize him.
Capt. John Darby, of the special victims unit, commended 2nd district Officer Terrance Black, who recalled the composite of the suspect in the sexual assault when Mathis was apprehended.
"A lot of different law enforcement people in various capacities were all working together," Darby said.
Mathis also is allegedly responsible for two robberies, one on the 5800 block of Newtown Ave. on Aug. 6 at 3:53 p.m., and another on the 6400 block of Bingham St. on Aug. 10 at 12:27 a.m. A total of $176 in cash was stolen.
Mathis has been charged with aggravated assault, robbery and burglary in addition to kidnapping, rape, sexual assault, violation of the federal Uniform Firearms Act and other related offenses.
He is being held on $1.2 million bail. A preliminary hearing has been set for Aug. 29. ••
FBI searching
for bank robbers
The Philadelphia FBI office is investigating two local bank robberies that occurred earlier this month and is seeking information from the public about the crimes.
The most recent incident occurred on Aug. 11 at the Citizens Bank at 2910 Cottman Ave.
According to FBI Special Agent Jerria Williams, two suspects entered the bank at about 10:05 a.m. and stood in the teller line. One of the men approached a teller and presented a demand note.
After the teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspects fled on foot southbound on Bernard Street, where they jumped into a getaway car occupied by a third male.
One suspect was described as black, clean-shaven and in his mid-20s, 5-feet-11 to 6-feet tall, and weighing 200 to 225 pounds. He has a medium build and dark complexion.
He wore a long-sleeved polo shirt with white, pink and orange stripes; a white T-shirt underneath; dark pants; and a white baseball cap with an "NYC" logo on the front. He carried a backpack on his shoulder.
A second suspect was described as black, in his early 20s, about 5-feet-8 and weighing 135 to 145 pounds. He has a skinny build and dark complexion. He had a beard; a white T-shirt; dark jeans; and a baseball cap.
The third male seen inside the getaway car is black. The car is an older model (possibly 1988) navy blue Oldsmobile or Buick.
An unrelated bank robbery occurred on Aug. 8 at 11:48 a.m. at Third Federal Bank, at 6633 Roosevelt Blvd.
According to Williams, a man in his late 40s or early 50s entered the bank, presented a demand note to a teller and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. He was last seen running from the crime scene eastbound on Unruh Street.
The suspect was described as white, 6-feet-tall and thin or medium in build. He was unshaven and wore a white cap with red brim, a blue T-shirt, jeans and dark glasses.
Anyone with information about either crime is asked to call 215-418-4000. ••
Man killed in
Oxford Circle
Philadelphia police detectives are investigating the beating death of a man discovered last week in the basement of his Oxford Circle home.
Authorities have not released the name of the 50-year-old victim pending notification of his next of kin.
City medics called police to a home on the 1200 block of Passmore St. at about 7 p.m. on Aug. 16. Police did not disclose who initially found the man but indicated that the person had a legitimate reason to be inside the property.
The victim was leaning against a basement wall, bloodied and with bruises to his arms, legs and torso, according to a police department spokeswoman. The cause of death was blunt-force trauma.
According to a police source, the man probably had been dead for less than a day. No suspects or motive for the killing have been determined. ••
Duo are suspects
in burglary hits
A Morrell Park man and a female companion were arrested last week after a month of allegedly burglarizing dozens of businesses in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
The suspects, Christopher Calabro, 35, of the 3300 block of Glenbrook Place in Morrell Park, and a friend, Gina Houck, 41, were arrested last Thursday night. Calabro was charged with burglary, robbery and theft.
Capt. Jack McGinnis, of Northeast Detectives, said the two are suspected of hitting about 18 businesses in the Northeast during the summer and as many as 30 additional ones in the other counties. Most of the businesses were restaurants or convenience stores victimized after hours.
Calabro also is being detained on similar charges in Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington County in New Jersey. Houck is being held on charges only in Bucks County, McGinnis said.
Calabro had done 11-1/2 months of jail time for a series of knifepoint robberies last year, McGinnis said. He was released on July 18, the date when the current spate of crimes allegedly started.
Calabro is being held on $530,000 bail. Preliminary hearings were scheduled for Aug. 23 and 25 on the Philadelphia offenses. ••
Police recruit booted
from academy
A West Philadelphia man was kicked out of the city police academy after allegedly making terroristic threats last week.
On Aug. 15, Howard Neil Jr., 26, of Pine Street near 48th, allegedly told classmates that he would "make the police academy like Columbine," police said. Neil claimed he would use items in his gym bag to execute the plan at a building near the main police academy, on Red Lion Road near Academy.
Police called in the bomb squad and evacuated Valor Hall, a building at the academy. Neil was taken into custody late that morning and his gym bag was examined. The bag was later found to have nothing in it, according to a police spokesman.
Neil was charged with making terroristic threats and later released to await court action. He was scheduled to graduate from the academy in September but has been dismissed, police said. ••
NE police name
most-wanted suspects
By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer
The Philadelphia Police Department’s Northeast Detectives Division has released its latest monthly Five Most Wanted list.
The suspects named on the list are:
o Christopher Anderson, 26, of the 4700 block of C St., in Feltonville, for burglary, criminal trespass, theft and criminal mischief.
On May 31, Anderson allegedly broke into the apartment of an ex-girlfriend on the 4600 block of Leiper St. and stole a $410 money order as well as two diamond rings. Police said he forced open the apartment door and, when confronted by a another visitor, fled the scene.
Anderson is black, 5-feet-8, and 165 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
o Frank Batenga, 22, of the 2300 block of Cedar St., in Port Richmond, for criminal conspiracy, attempted theft and criminal mischief.
Sometime between last Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 9 at 7 a.m., Batenga attempted to steal a 2000 Chrysler that was parked along the 8000 block of Rowland Ave., police said. When the owner of the vehicle discovered damage, including a broken window and steering column, she notified police.
Detectives lifted fingerprints from the car and submitted them to police forensic experts, who matched them to a known set of prints belonging to the suspect.
Batenga is white, 5-feet-7, and 135 pounds. He has blond hair, blue eyes and tattoos on both forearms.
o Jason Ryan, a.k.a. Jason O’Leary, 26, of the 4300 block of Frankford Ave. in Frankford, for aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
On July 8, shortly before 4:30 a.m., Ryan allegedly confronted two men outside of a bar on the 8000 block of Frankford Ave. and punched out one of them in an apparent argument over the victim’s ex-wife. As the unconscious victim fell to the street, he reportedly struck his head on construction debris.
Ryan is white, 6-feet-1, and 175 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and a tattoo of the word "MOB" on his right forearm.
o Dontez Stewart, 19, address unknown, for armed robbery and related offenses.
On June 9 at about 10:45 p.m., Stewart contacted a friend to ask for a place to stay because, he claimed, he had been thrown out of his mother’s house. The victim picked up Stewart at Broad Street and Hunting Park Avenue and brought him to his apartment on the 1500 block of Devereaux Ave.
Once inside the apartment, the suspect allegedly called an accomplice by telephone. A short time later, a masked man arrived at the apartment, pointed a gun at the resident and threatened to shoot him. As the victim fled the building, the suspects allegedly stole a cell phone, a platinum ring and a pair of pants with a combined value of over $2,000.
Stewart is considered armed and dangerous. He is black, 5-feet-7, and 145 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
o Wayne Wright, 22, address unknown, for robbery, assault and related offenses.
On April 25, at about 1:20 p.m., Wright allegedly waited outside an ex-girlfriend’s home on the 6400 block of Lawndale Ave. When she returned with the couple’s 2-year-old child, he allegedly punched her in the stomach, stole her cell phone and handbag and broke out all of the windows in her car. Wright is black, 5-feet-6, and 140 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
Call Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153 to report information about any of the Most Wanted suspects. ••