Rash of thefts in neighboring communities has Plum police reminding residents to lock vehicles

Michael Divittorio | Tuesday, September 22, 2020 10:41 a.m.

Chuck Biedka | Tribune-Review

Plum police have issued a reminder to residents to remove any valuables from their vehicles and lock the doors to help prevent thefts.

The borough posted the alert Sept. 21 through Savvy Citizen as well as its Facebook page.

Mayor Harry Schlegel said police are being proactive in addressing an issue that is happening in neighboring communities.

The alert states that there may be an organized group going through neighborhoods trying vehicle doors to see if they are unlocked.

“When the actor(s) locate an unlocked vehicle, they enter the unsecured vehicle and either steal the contents from the vehicle, or in one case the actor(s) stole the vehicle itself because the owner left the keys inside the vehicle,” the post read.

Schlegel said he is unaware of any such incidents in Plum, but knows there are some folks out there who could use this message.

“I’m surprised how many people leave their car in the driveway and leave the key in it. Not in the ignition, in the console or something,”Schlegel said. “These are all crimes of opportunity.”

Residents who see or hear anything suspicious are asked to call 911.