Crime & Safety

Police Warn of Thefts in Rennerdale

About a dozen car and shed break-ins have been reported in the Rennerdale area this week.

are warning residents to lock their homes, cars and sheds after a string of thefts in the Rennerdale area.

Police Chief Thomas Devin said there were about a dozen thefts from sheds and unlocked cars – most occurred Jan. 1 and 2 – over the past week. He said it’s a “crime of opportunity” when people leave valuables in their unlocked vehicles.

“Unfortunately, people feel they’re in a safe area and don’t need to lock their doors or cars up,” he said. “It gets to be a prime area for anyone to get into. Don’t leave valuables out. Don’t leave anything in there that you don’t want to lose.”

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Investigators were able to find foot tracks because of the snowfall those days, but they’re still trying to locate a suspect. Police are also reviewing surveillance video installed outside some homes.

and made one arrest. Devin said they’re investigating to see if those cases are related to the problems in Rennerdale.

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The Collier Township Police Department has engraving equipment it can loan to residents who want to put a permanent stamp on valuables. Residents can request to use the engraver to write information on an item so police can return it to the owner if it’s recovered.

But the biggest defense, Devin said, is simply locking your car doors.

“If they know enough to lock their valuables up or bring them inside overnight, that would be a big help,” he said.

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