Philadelphia police are on the lookout for suspects involved in a recent spree of vehicle burglaries that resulted in the theft of multiple firearms. A group of alleged thieves targeted cars parked around 30th and Clearfield streets from May 27 to May 30, with all incidents occurring late at night, confirmed by an NBC Philadelphia report.

The thieves, who have been described as young Black men, were observed using flashlights to inspect inside the vehicles before forcibly entering them by breaking windows. During the burglary spree lasting several days, police say a firearm was stolen in each of the five thefts they're investigating. This information comes from an earlier FOX 29 Philadelphia news article which detailed the method of operation of the suspects allegedly witnessed climbing into the vehicles and tossing items out to another suspect.

In addition to guns, various items were reported as stolen in these break-ins, 6abc Action News notes that anyone with information about the incidents or the suspects is encouraged to contact the local authorities to aid in the investigation. The thefts have raised concerns about the potential increase in gun violence given the number of weapons now unaccounted for and potentially in the hands of criminals.

These consecutive break-ins highlight an ongoing issue in urban communities where the theft of legally owned firearms can inadvertently fuel illegal activities and violence. Philadelphia residents are being urged by authorities to remain vigilant, to report any suspicious activities, and importantly, to follow best practices in firearm storage, such as keeping guns secured and not leaving them inside vehicles. As the search for the suspects continues, police are analyzing surveillance footage and seeking tips from the public that might lead to arrests.