BROOMALL, Pa. (WPVI) — Police departments across Delaware County are investigating a rash of car thefts and thefts from cars.
Investigators believe the crimes may be related, and the suspects are targeting certain vehicles.
Dashcam video from September 19 shows Marple Township police chasing suspects they say they witnessed prowling through neighborhoods and pulling on car door handles.
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Investigators say the suspects were riding in a stolen car and had stolen goods inside.
“It was just really scary that they were so close to our house,” said Angela Simpson from Broomall.
She says police recovered her husband’s wallet, which was taken out of his car on Brookthorpe Circle.
Police arrested Jahlil Savage-Reece and Imair Harrington.
It’s one of dozens of crimes involving cars across Delaware County in the last month.
“You don’t expect it out here. I grew up in Delco my entire life,” said Simpson.
“We’ve been finding that the majority of these vehicles stolen, cars are unlocked, the key fobs are even left in the vehicles,” said Det. Dan Lazzari of Marple Township Police.
Marple Township is one of several departments experiencing a rash of stolen vehicles and theft from vehicles. Springfield, Lansdowne, Upper Darby, and Ridley Township are all investigating similar crimes.
“Geographically, how we sit off of 476, the highway, it just makes it an easy neighborhood area just to come and see what they can get,” said Det. Lazzari.
Surveillance video from Monday morning on Avon Road in Springfield shows suspects riding through the neighborhood. Police believe they were looking for newer model cars that have a feature where the side view mirrors turn in when they’re locked.
“When they’re left unlocked, the side view mirrors do not go in. They’re left in an open position, so as they were driving down the street, the bad guys, they saw something about this car. They assumed it was unlocked,” said Lt. David DiTrolio with Springfield Police.
In Monday’s case, you can see a suspect, armed with a gun, get in the car and try the brakes. The suspects move on after the car doesn’t start.
Police say everyone needs to be aware and take precautions.
“We would ask people not to confront these people and call 911 immediately, but one of the big things is the deterrent effect of actually locking your cars,” said DiTrolio.
Police are also asking everyone to check their surveillance cameras. There have been dozens of reports across the county, and police believe there could be even more victims out there.
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