A residential security camera caught blurry images of thieves casing cars on a residential block in Chestnut Hill. The videos were turned over to police last week.

by Sue Ann Rybak

Any avid follower of the Local’s crime report has likely noticed a dramatic increase in the number of thefts from autos. This has included smashed windows, and some cars have even been left on cinderblocks, their wheels removed.

The police have noticed, too and said they are dedicating additional staff to the problem.

Lt. William Schmid, of the 14th Police District, told the Local that officers have been assigned daily to patrol Chestnut Hill and that plainclothes officers are also patrolling the area.

Schmid, a 16-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, said he believed that a “sophisticated group” of thieves were targeting Chestnut Hill because they know it is a wealthy neighborhood.

“Thefts from vehicles is a crime of opportunity,” he said. “As long as people keep leaving high-priced items such as Macbook Pros and other technology in their vehicle, thieves are going to keep breaking into their vehicle. Leaving anything in your vehicle even if it's an empty duffel bag could make your vehicle a target.”

He said in this recent rash of thefts from vehicles, thieves are primarily gaining access to the vehicle by breaking the window. Although, sometimes, he added, doors are left accidentally unlocked.

“I think a lot of that has to do with people using key fobs,” he said. “With the keyless entry, people don't realize sometimes if they are too close to the car the door doesn't actually lock.”

He urged all residents to report any thefts from vehicles or other crimes, so the police can “follow the trail of bread crumbs.”

“Everything we do is based on our 911 calls,” he said. “We can't plan for things we don't know about.”

For example, he said if people aren't reporting break-ins along Bethlehem Pike then police “don't know they are headed in that direction.”

“It's important for us to get as much information as we can, so we can kind of build a map of where we need to be,” he added. “We don't know to look at surveillance camera at your neighbor's house next door, a business or parking lot next door unless you report your car was broken into. We need you to help us help you.”

He said the police have recovered surveillance video and are actively investigating using all the tools available to them.

Schmid added that a community meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the John F. McCloskey School, 8500 Pickering St., to update residents on the break-ins and discuss any other concerns.

For more information, call the 14th Police District at (215) 686-3140.