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Police Investigate String Of Car Break-Ins In Murrysville

MURRYSVILLE (KDKA) -- Thieves are breaking into vehicles in an upscale neighborhood in Murrysville, and police say they're using new technology to gain access.

Westmoreland Farms in Delmont is a handsome neighborhood where homes are sold almost as quickly as they go on the market.

However, on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, thieves were busy breaking into vehicles there.

"Some people were very upset," said Sgt. Scott Kettren, of Murrysville Police. "Luckily, all the amounts are small and none of the vehicles were damaged.

Not far away at Manordale Farms, there were more break-ins overnight.

"Approximately 13 vehicles that we know of at this point," said Sgt. Kettren.

There was no sign of forced entry or broken windows.

"Taking small items, cash, small amounts of cash from each vehicle, purses containing debit cards, credit cards," Sgt. Kettren said.

Every year, more than a billion dollars in estimated personal property and accessories are stolen from vehicles, but there are a few ways you can reduce your risk of becoming a target.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau recommends that you:

  • Lock your vehicle no matter how safe you think your neighborhood is.
  • Close windows and sun roofs.
  • Hide tempting items, including navigation systems, even the suction cup mounts, iPod adaptors and power plugs.
  • Put shopping bags in the trunk.
  • Conceal visible cargo areas.

But even preventative measures are no guarantee. The thieves in Delmont worked amazingly fast.

Police think they may be using high-tech scanner boxes, which apparently can pop factory-made electronic locks in seconds.

RELATED LINKS:
More Murrysville News
More Reports by Mary Robb Jackson

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