Sledgehammer Heist: South Philly Corner Store Smashed for Cabinet of Lottery Tickets

A South Philadelphia neighborhood staple is picking up the pieces this week after a brazen early-morning break-in. Philadelphia police have released dramatic surveillance footage of a suspect who used a sledgehammer to smash his way into a local corner store before walking out with a massive haul of scratch-off lottery tickets.

The target? Jeanne’s Corner Grocery & Deli, located on Shunk Street.

Here is what went down, what the suspect looks like, and how you can help police track him down.

The 3:30 AM Smash-and-Grab

According to investigators, the heist took place on April 26, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m.

Surveillance video captured the suspect calmly approaching the storefront. Instead of a standard crowbar or lockpick, the thief brought heavy machinery: a full-sized sledgehammer. With a few powerful swings, the suspect shattered the glass front door and stepped inside the darkened deli.

Once inside, the thief didn’t go for the cash register or high-end electronics. Instead, he focused entirely on the counter, ripping away an entire display cabinet loaded with scratch-off lottery tickets.

The Escape Route

The suspect’s movements were caught on multiple cameras across the neighborhood as he fled the scene:

• The Drop: Police say the suspect initially ran to a rear alleyway to stash the bulky lottery cabinet.

• Rosewood Street: Minutes later, he was spotted walking northbound on the 2600 block of Rosewood Street—now empty-handed.

• Snyder Avenue: The final camera angle picked him up shortly after on the 1400 block of Snyder Avenue before he disappeared into the night.

Can You Identify This Suspect?

Philadelphia Police are asking the public to look closely at the surveillance images. If you live or work in the South Philly area near Shunk Street, Rosewood Street, or Snyder Avenue, you might recognize the individual or his clothing from that night.

WARNING FROM POLICE: If you spot this individual, do not approach him. A man willing to swing a sledgehammer into a storefront is unpredictable. Call 911 immediately.

How to Leave a Tip

If you have any information regarding this burglary, the suspect’s identity, or if you’ve seen someone trying to sell an unusual amount of scratch-off tickets in the area, please reach out to authorities:

• Tip Line: 215-686-TIPS (8477)

• Emergency: Dial 911

All tips to the PPD can remain anonymous. Let’s help keep our local corner stores safe.