Serial Burglar Wanted In Lower Southampton Twp.

LOWER SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —A warrant has been issued by police for a Philadelphia man accused of committing a string of retail thefts in the tri-county area over several years.

The Lower Southampton Township Police Department seeks the public's help in identifying Chiayi Chen, 43, of Philadelphia, for burglary and receiving stolen property.

Lower Southampton Police said that they responded at 4:50 a.m. on Aug. 24, 2023, to Guys Bicycles for an audible glass break alarm activation.

Police found a broken front-door window allowing entry into the business. During the investigation, an e-bike valued at $1,700 was reported missing from the inventory.

The business video system captured the image of the man taking the e-bike. Also during the investigation, an abandoned bicycle was found at the rear of the building. A resident along the 100 block of Highland Avenue reported the recovered bike as stolen.

The theft was captured on a home video system. Video footage from the burglary and the bike theft depicted the same image of the man.

At 4:59 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2023, police investigated the report of an attempted burglary at the Select Jewelry along East Street Road as a man was interrupted by a resident attempting to gain entry into the rear door.

The incident was captured on surveillance video and the man’s image matched that of the individual from the August incident, police said.

Property damage was estimated at $3,500.

At 1:17 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2023, police investigated the report of a burglary that occurred at the AT&T phone store located at 2 Bustleton Pike in Feasterville around 5 a.m.

During this investigation, about $1,000 in merchandise was taken from the business after a door was forced open, police said. Video surveillance captured the image of the man who matched the description of the prior incidents.

On Oct. 15, 2023, Bensalem Township Police arrested a man who was identified as Chen of Philadelphia for a business burglary.

Following the arrest and investigations, Chen was positively identified as committing the prior burglaries. Police said he was also involved in multiple business burglaries throughout the Tri-County area.