Over the past six months Whitemarsh Township neighborhoods along the Ridge Pike, Germantown Pike and Flourtown Road corridors have experienced an increase in thefts from un-locked vehicles during the overnight hours. These crimes are also increasing in number in other jurisdictions in Montgomery County and throughout the Philadelphia region. Whitemarsh Police patrols were ramped up and information sharing with other law enforcement partners was established to work collectively on these crimes.
On September 24, 2014 Whitemarsh Police were able to link a suspect to a stolen vehicle taken during an overnight theft. Suspect information was disseminated to law enforcement across the region by our detectives. The suspect was apprehended a few days later as he attempted to continue thefts from unlocked vehicles in Plymouth Township just in from Butler Pike. He was subsequently interviewed by Whitemarsh Police Detectives and admitted to many of the recent thefts committed in Whitemarsh Township and has been housed in the County prison since being taken into custody.
In conjunction with the arrest mentioned we have a separate on-going investigation that will result in more subjects being charged for thefts from vehicles and stolen vehicles from the area. As this is an on-going investigation the release of information for these crimes will be at a later time.
The Whitemarsh Township Police are continuing our proactive patrols using marked patrols units, unmarked police vehicles, bicycles and foot patrols to address these crimes. Residents are reminded that almost all of these thefts are from unlocked or unsecured vehicles. Please secure your personal property and help us by reporting suspicious activity in your neighborhoods. Working together collectively we can prevent many of these incidents and when appropriate make quick apprehensions on the individuals that commit these crimes.
For any crime in progress please Dial 911 or 610-828-8000. If you have a question please do not hesitate to call Whitemarsh Police Dispatch at 610-825-6530. Personnel are on-duty 24/7 to answer your questions or assist as needed.