'They made it too easy': Franklin Park residents told to lock vehicles, don't keep keys inside after early-morning thefts

A large number of thefts from vehicles as well as two vehicle thefts occurred early Thursday, Aug. 21, in Franklin Park.

Franklin Park police Chief Aron Leach said the thefts took place around 4 and 4:30 a.m.

All of the vehicles were unlocked and keys were left inside, he said.

“We experienced a large amount of theft from vehicles and two stolen vehicles last night between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.,” Leach said. “One of the vehicles was recovered in the city of Pittsburgh.”

Leach is asking anyone who may have seen anything out of the ordinary between that time frame to contact the department.

“We ask residents to check their doorbell or surveillance cameras for any suspicious activity during those hours and report anything unusual,” he said.

The vehicles affected were off the Brandt School Road area. The vehicles were in driveways.

The close proximity of Interstate 79 and Route 910 makes it an easy access for this type of criminal activity, Leach said.

There were no broken windows, and the vehicles that were stolen had keys left in them, he said.

“They made it too easy,” he said.

Leach reminds residents not to leave valuables or car keys in a vehicle. If something needs to be left in a vehicle, hide it. Also, keep cars locked, he said.

Franklin Park officers are checking for fingerprints and sharing information about the case with the auto theft task force, which consists of Pittsburgh and state police.

Though it has been a while since Franklin Park was impacted by activity like this, Leach said he sees a trend lately in communities like these, including nearby Shaler.

A June 27 Shaler Township Police Department Facebook post reported apprehending individuals in the Shaler area suspected of intending to break into vehicles and a reminder for residents to lock their car doors.

Any resident who is a victim and has not yet reported it, should contact Franklin Park police at 412-364-1227 or dial 911 to speak directly with an officer.