Recurring Break-Ins Target Broomall Vehicles

Over the past month, Marple Township has experienced a wave of break-in crimes, which were active this past week.

The crimes have included breaking and entering unlocked vehicles and subsequently stealing valuable contents, and have occurred all over town. Most recently, 10 vehicle break-ins were reported overnight between Wednesday, July 17 and Thursday, July 18. Though these crimes have been committed all over town, they have particularly been concentrated in the upper-town areas, including Laurel Lane, Fawn Hill Road, Meadowbrook Lane and Cherry Hill Lane.

The aforementioned streets were likely targeted because they contain properties with driveways located far away from the street, allowing the burglars to be concealed, according to Marple Police Chief Tom Murray.

The perpetrators have stolen items including cash, credit cards, computers and, in one case, a handgun, Murray said.

Both Marple Township and Haverford Township worked together over the past month to tackle this wave of thefts, and there was a brief lag in crime until this week’s reports surfaced.

Murray said that both townships arrested and charged one person earlier this week for receiving stolen property. Murray would not release the name of the charged individual. He added that additional charges are being pressed against the individual as of Friday morning because of videos that recently surfaced.

Additionally, since the crimes persisted in both towns, the police believe that there are additional perpetrators involved.

In order to prevent the recurring crimes, Murray advised a number of precautions. First, lock all vehicles and secure possessions, the simplest approach. Second, report any unusual activity overnight, whether it be a car door slam or an activated motion detector.

“We’re here to serve you but if we don’t know what’s going on until after it happens, we’re behind the eight ball,” Murray said.