Tredyffrin Twp. PD To Recieve DA's Office Commendation

The Tredyffrin Township Police Department will receive a commendation from the Chest County District Attorney's Office this evening for its effort to remove a burglar from area streets. The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. at the Tredyffrin Township Building.

The commendation comes after police investigated, apprehended, convicted 48-year-old Joseph Calvin Phipps, of Tredyffrin, for nine residential burglaries. Phipps burgled locations on on Grouse Lane, Laurel Lane, Ivycroft Road, Fox Chapel Lane and Ringneck Lane in Wayne, as well as Contention Lane and Old State Road in Berwyn. Phipps was charged with six burglaries while awaiting trial for a separate burglary charge. All burglaries took place in September, October, and November in 2014.

"We're really proud of our PD," lead prosecutor Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Harrar said. "We had to work the case backwards."

Harrar said police had no suspects after several burglaries, but thanks to the police investigations, police and court officials determined all of the cases fit Phipp's modus operandi.

Tredyffrin Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Todd Bereda said Det. Robert Bostick led the investigation and thanks to his traditional and unconventional skills Phipps was apprehended.

"(Bostick) was very tenacious with the investigation," Bereda said, "not only using normal actions, but also tying evidence together using cell phone technology to place Mr. Phipps where we were having these crimes occur."

Bereda said Bostick is an 18-year veteran of the force and is a decorated officer, having been recnogized for his detective work on several cases, including robberies and drug crimes.

"He's a solid investigator and he gets results," Bereda said of Bostick. "We're very lucky to have him here."

Harrar said Phipps struck a guilty plea deal of 10 to 20 years on seven burglaries, two attempted burglaries, and one unlawful possession of a firearm charge.

Image via Shutterstock