VIDEO: Man steals $19K in camera gear from public access TV studio

camera theft suspect Credit: Philadelphia Police Department

Philadelphia police on Wednesday released surveillance video of a man wanted in the July 22 theft of more than $19,000 in camera equipment from a public access television studio in Old City.

Investigators said the suspect entered the PhillyCam public access television studio, located at 669 Ranstead St., shortly before 10 a.m.

The man can be seen on tape wandering the studio’s halls.

Police said he walked into a recording studio and loaded into his backpacktwo Fuji camera lenses and two Focus Module valves, equipment with a total estimated value of $19,100.

He then left the studio on foot.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-1, thin with a full beard colored on the front chin area with a small patch of gray.

He was last seen waring a light-colored kufi cap, glasses, a red-orange T-shirt with a dark-colored Puma logo on the front, khaki shorts and black-and-white sneakers. He was carrying a red or orange backpack with white writing.

Anyone with information on the suspect or the crime is asked to call 911, to contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093 or 3094, or to submit an anonymous tip by dialing 215-686-TIPS (8477), texting PPD TIP (773847), emailing [email protected] or by filling out this online form.