Police probe rash of vehicle break-ins

According to police, the most recent thefts took place July 18 at the East Goshen Township Park.

EAST GOSHEN >> Police are investigating a rash of daytime vehicle break-ins in East Goshen Township, with many occurring at parks and fitness clubs.

According to WesttownEast Goshen police, the most recent thefts took place July 18 at the East Goshen Township Park. One of the vehicles at the park had a window broken out and the victim’s purse was stolen, which contained credit cards and cash and the victim’s identification. Police said that credit card was used for transactions in Delaware.

Daytime vehicle breakins have been occurring in parking lots of shopping centers, fitness parks and day care centers in Westtown and East Goshen townships.

Police said thieves park their cars in these areas and wait to watch potential victims exit and walk into stores and day care centers. Females are targeted most often because they commonly leave handbags in their vehicles, police said.

If the vehicle is locked, thieves have been breaking vehicle windows and removing valuables in a matter of seconds, police said. Often taken are handbags with cash, credit cards, check books, and ID cards inside.

The Westtown-Easttown Regional Police Department has set up proactive patrols in response to this problem. Police said these incidents tend to be crimes of opportunity. Cars with no valuable assets in plain view are often not targeted, police said.

Police are issuing the following advice:

• Do not leave valuables in your vehicles, such as cash, credit cards, check books, ID cards, or the keys to the vehicle.

• If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, place them out of view or in the trunk. The center console and glove compartment is likely the first place they will look.

• Do not hesitate to call 911 if you see suspicious activity. And no don’t tell the thief you called us. We want it to be a surprise.

• Don’t spoil the party! Victims often say they didn’t think they had to lock their car or hide their valuables because they thought it was a nice area. Just because the area looks nice and crime free doesn’t mean a thief can’t come visit unannounced. Thieves are drawn to locations where victims are unsuspecting and they are likely to have an easier time getting what they want.