SEPTA-Riding Serial Burglar To Serve Up To 50 Years

A Philadelphia man will serve up to 50 years in prison for 88 burglaries across five counties.

Larry Samuels, 40, was sentenced Tuesday by a Montgomery County judge. He will serve 25 to 50 years for the burglaries, which occurred in 2014 and 2015 in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

Samuels was found guilty June 1 of 10 felony burglaries, 53 felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, and multiple counts of criminal mischief.

According to police, similarities in the burglarizes led them to Samuels. The crimes followed a pattern: They all occurred near SEPTA Regional Rail stops, and the burglar would often take food and drinks from the targeted homes. Money, cell phones, Apple devices and purses were the most common items taken.

Dozens of law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation, which was led by Cheltenham Township Police, including Pennsylvania State Police, Philadelphia Police and the following local departments:

• From Montgomery County: Abington; Upper Dublin; Jenkintown; Lansdale; Lower Merion; Whitemarsh; Lower Gwynedd; Hatfield, Springfield.
• From Delaware County: Radnor and Nether Providence
• From Chester County: Easttown and Tredyffrin
• From Bucks County: Doylestown Township

"This collaboration by law enforcement and the successful prosecution by Assistant District Attorney Laura Bradbury has taken a dangerous criminal off the streets," Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement.