April 11, 2023

Two men wanted for burglary at Independence Seaport Museum, police say

Investigators believe the two individuals gained access before 5 a.m. on Friday and stole a welder and other tools

By Maggie Mancini
PhillyVoice Staff

Courtesy of/Independence Seaport Museum

Police are searching for two men who were seen in surveillance video burglarizing the Independence Seaport Museum. The pair stole a welder and other tools before fleeing in the early morning hours of April 7.

Philadelphia police are searching for two men suspected of burglarizing the Independence Seaport Museum near Penn's Landing last week.

Authorities said that two unknown men gained entry to the maritime museum, located at 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., at approximately 4:40 a.m. on Friday, April 7.

One of the men kept watch by a side door of the museum while the other stole a welder and other tools, according to surveillance footage released by police. At least one of the men was seen wearing a white facial covering and both avoided security cameras as they rummaged through some of the items at the museum.

Shortly after gaining entry to the facility, the two fled in an unknown direction. The Independence Seaport Museum did not immediately respond to PhillyVoice's request for comment regarding the burglary.

The Independence Seaport Museum, which originally opened as the Philadelphia Maritime Museum in 1961, moved to Penn's Landing near the Delaware River in 1995. Since then, the waterfront museum has housed two naval warships and a host of educational programming about the history and culture of the Delaware River.

Central Detectives are handling the investigation. Those with information can contact Central Detectives at (215) 686-3093 or the Philadelphia Police tipline at (215) 686-8477. Tips can be made anonymously through this online form.