Thieves stealing from unlocked vehicles around Westmont Borough in recent days are branching out into surrounding areas, authorities said.
Sixteen unlocked vehicles in Geistown Borough and Stonycreek and Richland townships were entered late Tuesday and early Wednesday.
The thefts have taken on a darker twist: A handgun was stolen from one of three vehicles entered in the Belmont section of Stonycreek Township, township police Chief Dave Dunkleberger said.
“That’s serious when they get into stealing guns,” he said.
The handgun was licensed and registered, he said.
Seven unlocked vehicles were entered in the Belmont section of Richland Township, police Detective Kevin Lehman said.
And six vehicles were entered on Phillips and Rosewood streets in Geistown Borough, police Cpl. Terry McGrath said.
“They’re looking for money,” McGrath said. “People have to lock their cars.”
A purse taken from one of the vehicles was found nearby with an ATM card and drivers license, he said.
Authorities believe the latest incidents could be the work of the thieves who hit Westmont Borough and Upper and Lower Yoder townships the same nights.
Ten vehicles were entered in the area of Em’s Subs on Goucher Street in Upper Yoder Township, police Sgt. Martin Dean said.
Thirteen vehicles were entered in Westmont and Lower Yoder, with most of the crimes occurring in the area of Luzerne Street Extension, Shelburne Place and Christopher Street, West Hills Regional police Cpl. Michael Lose said.
“It would be my assumption it probably is (the same thieves),” Lose said.
The thieves rummage through unlocked vehicles taking loose change, wallets, purses, CDs, cellular telephones and whatever else they can get their hands on. In many cases, they rummage around in the cars without taking anything.
Lehman has a theory on who is getting into the vehicles in the Stonycreek, Richland and Geistown areas.
“It’s probably kids walking from place to place,” he said.
All of the vehicles entered were within a mile of each other, he said, and items such as driver’s licenses and ATM cards were left behind.
“It’s obvious to me they left some valuable things behind,” Lehman said. “If you’re a parent and your kids were sleeping out somewhere, chances are they were either involved or know someone who was.”
Lose said the thieves could be charged with theft from a motor vehicle, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property.
Dunkleberger said he plans to put plainclothes officers on the streets to collar the crooks.
“It could go on all summer if it’s not stopped,” he said.
Anyone with information about the crimes may call the Cambria County nonemergency number, (800) 281-1680.
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