Two cops named
15th Officers of the Month

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Police officers Craig Perry and Thomas Strobeck were recognized last week as the 15th Police District Advisory Council’s Officers of the Month for apprehending a carjacker who attacked an elderly woman at a ShopRite store on Frankford Avenue in August.
Perry noticed a man walking back and forth in the parking lot, then saw him approach an elderly woman getting into her car. The man pulled out a knife and attacked the woman, who began to struggle with him. Perry quickly approached the vehicle but the assailant pushed the woman out of the vehicle and drove out of the parking lot.
The policeman offered the victim first aid and sent radio information about the assault and the attacker.
Strobeck spotted the carjacker and attempted to stop the car. The driver rammed another vehicle that was stopped at a traffic signal at Torresdale Avenue and Knorr Street. When the carjacker rammed the vehicle again, clearing his path to continue to Torresdale Avenue and Levick Street, he soon became involved in another accident.
Strobeck got out of his patrol vehicle and subdued the suspect. The victim’s purse was recovered, as was the knife used in the attack.
"They did an excellent job," said Capt. Frank Bachmayer, commander of the 15th district.
The week before, Bachmayer had been the victim of an attempted carjacking while on patrol in an unmarked police car. Bachmayer apprehended his attacker.
Reese Hartey, chairman of the Mayfair Community Development Corp., jokingly presented Bachmayer — who absorbed a punch in the mouth during the attack — with a bright orange helmet and face mask to protect him from any future attacks.
Despite his attack, Bachmayer reported that year-to-date violent crime is down by 7 percent in the 15th district. Shootings are down 24 percent, though rape cases have increased by 20 percent, he said.
Bachmayer noted that property crime is down 4 percent; quality-of-life arrests are up 82 percent; and curfew violations have increased by 168 percent.
District officers also will be looking out for violators speeding through school zones or double-parking there, he added.
"We’ll be ticketing and stopping cars, looking to make sure people slow down," Bachmayer said.
In other business, it was announced that PDAC members and the 15th district will join City Councilman Dan Savage (D-7th dist.) to host Community Day on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wissinoming Park, 5700 Frankford Ave.
There will be a moon bounce and clowns for the kiddies, music, a performance by the Platinum Steppers, pretzels and giveaways. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com