Thefts in Planet Fitness Parking Lot Increase in Marple, Car Collisions With Deer Increase in Newtown

The good news in is that vandalism was down for the month of October, said Chief Tom Murray. According to Murray, there were 11 vandalism incidents in October.

But thefts continue to be a big concern in the township, specifically at the parking lot off of Springfield Road in Broomall. The overall number of thefts, including those at the Planet Fitness parking lot, for the month of October was 27.

Murray said the police department is "getting hammered" by the number of calls being made for thefts at the fitness center's parking lot, and that the incidents have been unique in the township.

Murray said the calls have been about "someone watching people go into Planet Fitness, and then breaking into their vehicles knowing they have about an hour to an hour or two of time before somebody actually comes back to that vehicle." Murray said the they then actually force their way into the vehicle and described it as "unusual" whereas most previous thefts from vehicles in the township were of unlocked vehicles.

"It's not only happening here at our Planet Fitness but it's happening all over the county," said Murray. "We're working with seven or eight other police departments trying to share intelligence and hopefully get this stopped to make an arrest."

In addition, Murray reported that Marple police collected a record total of 71.7 pounds of unused prescription medicine–the second highest in the county–in the on Oct. 29. According to Murray, Aldan Borough had the highest in the county.

At a Board of Supervisors meeting in October, Chief Dennis Anderson said the number of car collisions with deer have spiked in the past month. From Sept. 24 to Oct. 24, there have been 24 deer struck in the township. From Oct. 14 to Nov. 14, 12 vehicle accidents involving deer were reported.

In addition, from Oct. 14 to Nov. 14, 85 medical emergencies, 51 suspicious persons, vehicles or circumstances, 17 animal complaints (not of dogs), 142 traffic enforcement/citations, and 103 business building checks were reported in the township.