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Reunited: Philadelphians and their stolen goods [The Philadelphia Inquirer](Philadelphia Inquirer (PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 15--Shaunte Smith wanted his iPod back. It had been stolen from the 28-year-old's East Oak Lane home in October. On Thursday, he waited in a long line in the lobby of the 18th Police District, at 55th and Pine Streets, hoping he was in luck. Inside, spread along tables and benches in an old courtroom, were more than 1,000 high-end electronics -- cameras, laptops, and game systems -- which police confiscated from a West Philadelphia shop. Bracelets, rings, and necklaces were also on display. Police recovered the merchandise in May from M&N Fashion & Jewelry, 45 S. 52d St. The raid occurred after investigators tracked a woman's stolen laptop and camera to the store, said Lt. John Walker, commander of Southwest Detectives. The owner of the store told police he bought merchandise from customers with cash. Shelves and storage rooms at the shop were filled with electronics and jewelry. The owner couldn't produce proof of purchase for the items. "We believe he was conducting a fencing operation," Walker said. Police did not release the owner's identity, but expect to charge him with buying stolen property, Walker said. He could face one count for each item illegally purchased. Since May, police have been cataloging the items and tracking down owners. One man got back his GPS unit, stolen several months ago at 25th and Federal Streets, Walker said. And a woman who was pickpocketed at Harrah's Chester casino got her iPhone back. From 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, people waited to recoup their lost things. More than 50 people searched the room in the first hour. They needed to bring police theft claims or electronic receipt numbers for proof. Though some were successful, others didn't find what they were looking for. Lia Boyle, 25, hoped to recover a laptop and an Xbox stolen in April from her Cedar Park home. She checked identification numbers on a black Xbox, but it wasn't hers and she left empty-handed. "No luck," she said. "I guess I'll continue to work without a laptop for school." Others were reunited with more than electronics -- they also recovered memories. Danyel Johnson, 47, lost laptops, iPods, cameras, an Xbox, and a PlayStation Portable in a theft in October from her North 53d Street home. On Thursday, she recovered a camera card with hundreds of lost photos. "I feel good," she said. "My grandfather passed away in February. I would have rather gotten my computers, because they had a lot of pictures." Smith scoured the iPod table for his beloved music player. He had kept all his receipts, which came in handy. After verifying the numbers with an officer, he happily reclaimed his white iPod classic. "It looks like my baby," he said. "It looks like her." Police regard the stolen property raid as a "big win," Walker said. People like getting their stuff back, of course. But it also allows police to "build positive relationships with the community," he said. "It shows we still continue to investigate all crimes." To see a video of the stolen goods recovered by police, go to www.philly.com Contact staff writer Alia Conley at 215-854-2917 or [email protected]. ___ To see more of The Philadelphia Inquirer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.philly.com/inquirer. Copyright (c) 2011, The Philadelphia Inquirer Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |