Detective breaks up burglary ring

Amanda Wenrich linked local burglary to Delaware Valley crime operation

KENNETT TOWNSHIP >> The Kennett Township police force has recognized one of its own for skillful detective work in tracing a local crime to a burglary ring that was operating across the Delaware Valley region.

Police Chief Lydell Nolt gave Detective Amanda Wenrich a formal commendation at the supervisors’ meeting Feb. 15 for detective work that began with a January 2016 burglary in a township residence that cost the homeowners several hundred thousand dollars in money and jewelry.

Wenrich was able to collect DNA evidence at the scene, Nolt said, that eventually allowed Kennett Police to link the crime to a ring of burglars operating widely in Delaware, New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania. The burglars now face a variety of charges in a number of jurisdictions in the region.

In other police-related business, the supervisors formally recognized the Kennett Township Police Association as the sole bargaining unit for full- and part-time police officers other than those above the rank of sergeant. The association will also deal with disciplinary matters and benefits.

Township resident Chris Burkett asked the supervisors to be mindful of future pension payments when considering the costs to the taxpayers incurred by the township force.

In his regular report to the meeting, Chief Nolt noted a fiveyear trend in rising numbers of traffic accidents. Nolt said the increase was mostly caused by increased traffic. There were 200 crashes in 2016, he said.

The supervisors approved an application from Chatham Financial to build an additional 161 parking spaces on a three-acre parcel it acquired next to its existing campus off McFarland Road.

Township Manager Lisa Moore said the next steps for Barkingfield Park included putting in a wildflower meadow, a sunflower meadow, an orchard, a rain garden, playground, and perhaps also have local scouts build benches. Moore and Roadmaster Roger Lysle discussed ways to eventually provide water for canine visitors.

The supervisors unanimously authorized up to $9,250 to pay for a Barkingfield Park Stewardship Plan conducted by the Brandywine Conservancy. Described as a community-based land stewardship pilot program and sustainable community assessment, the project’s goal is to help preserve and enhance the park’s natural areas.

The project would involve public meetings about the natural areas in the park and their relationship to other nearby natural areas. Then an inventory and analysis of the natural areas would be done along with planning and discussions with people who had a stake in the process.

Eventually the project would result in a set of guidelines for preserving and enhancing the park’s natural areas.

MATT FREEMAN – FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Kennett Township Police Chief Lydell Nolt gives Detective Amanda Wenrich a commendation for her work in linking a township burglary to a burglary ring operating throughout the Delaware Valley.