A 24-year-old Philadelphia man is accused of stealing nearly $800,000 in jewelry from homes in Bryn Mawr and Wynnewood after detectives used cellphone geo-fencing to link him to all three crime scenes.
Jabir Hanif Parker, of the 2700 block of West Lehigh Avenue, was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 1, by Lower Merion Police with help from FBI SWAT, Pennsylvania State Police, Philadelphia Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Mainline Media News reported.
Parker faces charges of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility. The charges stem from alleged break-ins between June 22 and July 18 at homes in Lower Merion Township and Tredyffrin Township, Chester County.
Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar set bail at $1 million cash.
Parker is being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
Two Lower Merion homes hit
The first burglary occurred June 22 at a Bryn Mawr home. Twelve pieces of jewelry were reported stolen, including a $10,000 tennis bracelet and a $26,000 Rolex watch. The total estimated loss was about $106,700, according to the criminal complaint filed by Lower Merion Detective Gregory Pitchford and Tredyffrin Township Detective Sgt. Stephanie Bills.
The second break-in occurred July 5 at a Wynnewood home. Twenty-eight jewelry items worth an estimated $687,292 were stolen along with a home safe. The haul included a $45,000 Tiffany necklace and David Yurman earrings valued at $75,000.
Residents were not home during either burglary. All three incidents involved forced entry during overnight hours, according to Patch.
A third break-in attempt July 18 in Tredyffrin Township was interrupted when homeowners confronted the suspect. No items were stolen. Video surveillance showed two suspects on the property, both appearing to wear gloves, according to the criminal complaint.
Geo-fencing cracked the case
Detectives used a technique called geo-fencing, subpoenaing a list of all cellphones active at the exact date, time and location of each burglary. Only one phone appeared at all three scenes. It belonged to Parker.
A nanny cam inside the Wynnewood home also captured Parker's voice during the July 5 burglary, and authorities said he was communicating with a getaway driver. Data from Parker's cellphone and Gmail accounts showed searches for "gold presidential rolex," "how much is 1.5 carat diamond" and "briony raymond new york." The first search for the specific Rolex stolen in Bryn Mawr occurred just 53 minutes after the suspect left that scene, authorities said.
The investigation also traced a white GMC Yukon Denali to a SIXT Rent A Car location in Philadelphia. Parker rented the vehicle July 16 and returned it July 18 at 6:43 a.m., about 93 minutes after homeowners interrupted the Tredyffrin break-in, according to the criminal complaint.
Patch reported that Tredyffrin Township Police had previously identified the July 18 home as belonging to Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office did not mention Barkley by name in announcing Parker's arrest.
Bail stays at $1 million
At a bail review hearing Thursday, Sept. 3, defense attorney Steven Fairlie argued for a reduction. "I think $1 million is an outrageous bail," Fairlie said, arguing Parker has community ties and holds a full-time job with a security company.
Assistant District Attorney Meghan Carney countered that Parker poses a serious public safety risk. Judge Steven T. O'Neill upheld the $1 million bail.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, Lower Merion Police Superintendent Andrew J. Block and Tredyffrin Police Superintendent T. Michael Beaty announced the arrest Thursday, Sept. 3. Assistant District Attorney Tanner Christian Beck is prosecuting the case.
Parker faces a preliminary hearing at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, before Magisterial District Judge John I. McMahon. Additional suspects are being sought.
Anyone with information about the burglaries or the sale of stolen items can call Lower Merion Police at 610-649-1000 and ask for detectives.
