Crime & Safety

Alleged Serial Burglar Charged with Multiple Bensalem Break-Ins

A Philadelphia man allegedly broke into four Bensalem businesses and attempted to break in to a fifth business.

A Philadelphia man who was convicted of burglarizing a Bensalem business in 2005 has hit that property–and four others–in Bensalem again, according to police.

Howard Seth Jacobson, 41, of the 2500 block of Welsh Road in Philadelphia, was arrested and charged with four counts of burglary, a count of criminal attempt-burglary, four counts of criminal attempt and a count of criminal attempt-criminal trespass, all felony offenses. Jacobson was also charged with four counts of theft by unlawful taking and a count of criminal mischief, all misdemeanor offenses.

Police allege that Jacobson, who was convicted of burglarizing a business at 2102 Street Road in Bensalem on July 27, 2005, again tried to break in to it on Oct. 12. In the most recent instance, Jacobson allegedly parked his black Hyundai Santa Fe in the fire lane, directly in front of the business, threw an object at the bottom of the glass, then kicked the glass several times, according to court documents.

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When he failed to break the glass, police said he fled the property, which now houses Alan Faden’s Collectibles.

Police allege that Jacobson followed the same approach in burglarizing–and gaining entry to Frankford Cleaners at 2229 Galloway Road on Aug. 31; Barbara’s Floral Expressions at 2568 Bristol Pike on Oct. 12; Mayflower Cleaners at 3565 Hulmeville Road and Dairy Queen at 3569 Hulmeville Road on Oct. 16. 

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On Oct. 23, police in Philadelphia located Jacobson and he “violently resisted arrest” and attempted to run over officers with his vehicle, according to court documents. Philadelphia Police later searched his vehicle and found a navy blue sweatshirt, dark colored pants and tan boots, the same clothing Bensalem Police said the burglar wore during the break-ins, according to court documents. 

He is being held in the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of 10 percent of $250,000 bail. Jacobson awaits a preliminary hearing tentatively set for Tuesday.

 


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