Aspinwall Police investigating rash of vehicle break-ins, neighboring communities targeted

Aspinwall resident Joey Salvucci woke up Wednesday morning to broken glass and a damaged vehicle.

He wasn’t alone.

Aspinwall Police are investigating a slew of vehicle break-ins around 4 a.m. Wednesday along Second and Third and W. 8th Streets.

Aspinwall Police Chief David Nemec said about 10 vehicles were targeted, several were locked and others unlocked.

Several of the vehicles had their windows broken and various items were reported stolen to police.

As of Thursday, the three male suspects remain at large, according to Nemec.

Police said the suspects in Aspinwall used a stolen car from Plum in the incidents.

Nemec said his department and borough officials are pursuing the investigation vigorously.

“We don’t want this here and we don’t want it escalating,” he said.

Besides Aspinwall, Nemec said thieves have targeted vehicles for the last several days and months in the nearby communities of Sharpsburg, Shaler and Indiana Township.

Dubbed “crimes of opportunity” by law enforcement, unlocked vehicles are often easy targets.

Nemec wants to spread the message that the public can contact 911 day or night and they’re never “bothering” the police by reporting crime activity.

“Please report any suspicious activity, day or night, by dialing 911,” Nemec said.

The suspects in the most recent Aspinwall break-ins were wearing masks, making identifications more problematic.

“We have the stolen car make and license plate,” said Aspinwall Mayor Joe Noro.

Aspinwall officials are urging residents to keep their car doors locked, turn on porch lights at night, assure cameras are in working order and keep all valuables (including keys and fobs) out of vehicles.

“No matter what, we want to know and we want to stop them,” Nemec said. “It’s a crime and we just don’t want it here and we don’t want it escalating.”

In Aspinwall, no injuries were reported and all damage was limited the streets.

Anyone with camera footage of the suspects are encouraged to submit to Aspinwall Police.

“We’re still reviewing some video evidence,” Nemec said.

Salvucci said he had actually locked his car for the evening in his driveway on Second Street Tuesday but suspects smashed the window and rummaging through the glove box and center console, stealing a pair of cheap sunglasses and an “extra” wallet without valuables or cash.

The wallet was found by Salvucci’s neighbor and dropped off at the police station.

Salvucci estimated the window replacement cost at $450, which will not be covered by his insurance because his deductible is several thousand dollars.

But despite being a victim, Salvucci is taking a glass-half-full attitude.

“They really nailed the timing when they smashed my window,” Salvucci said. “With all the recent cold, rain, pollen and later in the summer a likely heat wave — I have to hand it to them for choosing the perfect moment to maximizing my comfort and minimizing any disruption on a beautiful Pittsburgh day.”

Anyone with information on these crimes or noticing suspicious activity is asked to call 911.