Full Notification

Thefts from vehicles are a continuous and on-going problem. The Muhlenberg Twp Police Dept handled (19) of these incidents between December 01, 2010, and January 30, 2011. That's approximately one theft from a vehicle every three days. This is usually a crime of opportunity, and the sames types of items are usually targeted.

Among the items targeted are electronics (MP3 players, laptops, GPS units, cell phones), jewelry, and loose change. Even if you keep these items out of sight in your car, their accessories can alert theives to their presence in your vehicle. Ear buds, charging cords, boxes & packages, and other things can tell a thief that you have something in your car that they want. Something as simple as a suction cup mark on your windshield can alert a thief to the possibility that a GPS unit is in your car.

While no one method or tip is foolproof, you can help steer thieves clear of your vehicle:

1. Always lock your car, regardless of where you are.
2. Keep valuables and their accessories out of sight.
3. Try to park in well-lit areas.
4. Try to park in high-traffic areas.
5. If you have a car alarm, arm it whenever you are away from your vehicle.

If you are the victim of a theft from your vehicle, report it to your local police department promptly. Also, know what you own. Police reports need to include, at a minimum, a make and model of the stolen item. Record your serial numbers in a safe place, and provide them to police as soon as possible. Recovered property cannot be returned if the police can't prove who owns it.