BETHLEHEM — Bethlehem police are investigating multiple reports of thefts from vehicles parked at the Elm Avenue Park on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
According to reports, the incidents happened between 4 and 6 p.m. and the suspects broke the vehicles’ windows to steal valuable items that had been in plain sight. BPD Commander Adam Hornick said such items included purses, wallets, credit cards and cash; it is not known yet how much value the stolen items were though.
Initial witnesses told police they saw two males, one of whom had braids in his hair and wore a white T-shirt, breaking into a vehicle to steal items and then fleeing in a dark-colored Mitsubishi SUV. Hornick said the police have not confirmed their approximate age range or any other specific physical descriptions yet.
“Unfortunately, we see things like this happen a couple of times a year between places like the town park, gyms and fitness centers, the YMCA, daycare centers and retail stores,” Hornick said. “Because those are the places people go that they don’t bring their products with them. For example, if you go to Price Chopper, you stop and bring your purse or wallet with you. But when you stop to see a football, lacrosse, soccer or basketball game, people don’t always bring their stuff with them from their vehicles.”
Looking ahead, Bethlehem police recommends that residents take the following proactive steps:
- Always lock your vehicle
- Keep valuable items out of plain sight, like putting them under seats, in compartments or in the trunk
- Bring your wallets and cellphones with you when you leave your vehicle behind or lock them in compartments
- Be aware of your surroundings all the time as these incidents often happen after a suspect watches you leave your car
- Follow the “See Something, Say Something” philosophy when things appear out of place or get suspicious
Anyone with more information about the aforementioned incidents should contact Bethlehem police at 518-439-9973.
