In recent days, the city of Wilkes-Barre has experienced a surge in burglaries, with several businesses falling victim to theft.
Among the affected businesses are two located in the vicinity of Wilkes University – Eden-a-Vegan Café and Asian Kitchen, both situated in the 100 block of South Main Street.
While these incidents are under investigation by the Wilkes-Barre City Police, Wilkes University students and the broader community are urged to remain vigilant.
“The best way to stay vigilant is to report anything that you may feel is uncomfortable, and always trust your instincts,” said Chief of Police Michael Krzywicki. “If you feel something is not right, you are usually correct and you should report it to the proper authorities. If you see any criminal activity, please call 911 immediately to report it as it is happening. Valuable time and resources may be lost if you wait to report this activity.”
The Wilkes University Police Department (WUPD) is actively monitoring the situation, emphasizing that no university-owned properties have been involved in these incidents.
“All decisions are handled on a case-by-case basis with the safety of our campus community in mind,” said Krzywicki.
WUPD encourages anyone with information related to these crimes to contact the WIlkes-Barre City Police at 570-208-4200. In their email to students, WUPD reiterated safety precautions, including reporting suspicious persons or vehicles, being aware of surroundings when walking on campus and using the Wilkes Shield safety app to report incidents immediately.
A rumor surfaced on the social media app, YikYik, about a person who was allegedly robbed in the MAC.
“In reference to the MAC, I cannot share any misconception or additional details about something that has not occurred, or has not been reported to our department,” said Krzywicki. “If there was a robbery in the MAC, we have an obligation by law to notify our campus community.”
Local businesses affected by recent burglaries have shared their experiences on social media.
“Today I woke up to devastating news,” said Boozy B’s, a local shop, via Facebook. “Early this morning around 3 a.m. someone broke into the shop. Completely shattered the glass on my front door with a brick and stole all the money from my register.”
Another affected business, Eden-a-Vegan Café, expressed their frustration, also on Facebook.
“A smashed front door and they got a few hundred bucks from the register,” said Eden. “When they are found, it surely will prove that it wasn’t worth it.”
The impact on business is not just financial; it disrupts their operations and challenges their sense of security. Despite these setbacks, the affected businesses were determined to reopen promptly, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
As the community rallies to support one another, both businesses and Wilkes University are taking steps to enhance security measures. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, report any suspicious activity and actively participate in community safety efforts.
A recent update, from The Times Leader, reports that a 17-year-old boy is responsible for anumber of the downtown burglaries, according to Wilkes-Barre City Police.
“We are working with WBPD by providing them with video footage we have relative to their investigation,” said Krzywicki.
For more information on safety and security, students can refer to the Wilkes Univeristy Police Department’s annual security report at https://www.wilkes.edu/campus-life/safety-security/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report.aspx. Questions about this advisory can be directed to Chief of Police Michael Krzywicki at 570-408-4952 or by email at [email protected].