Police: String of Thefts From Cars In Wynnewood Linked to Radnor, Haverford Thefts

Update 2:25 p.m. on 6/19/12: The text of an alert sent out by Lower Merion Township on Tuesday regarding the thefts has been added to the bottom of this article.

A string of thefts from vehicles, largely located in a several block radius in Ardmore and Wynnewood, have been linked to similar thefts that occurred last week in Haverford and Radnor townships, Lower Merion police told news media at a briefing on Monday afternoon. 

At least 11 thefts from vehicles occurred between Thursday and Saturday within a mile of each other in the Wynnewood area, with three more thefts occurring on Sunday—two in Bala Cynwyd and one in Villanova, police said. At least some of the vehicles were locked and had their windows smashed to gain entry, police said. 

Between Thursday and Sunday, items were stolen from vehicles parked at the following locations, according to police:

• 1400 block Knox Road, Wynnewood
• 700 block Sussex Road, Wynnewood
• Unit block Chatham Road, Ardmore
• 400 block Lakeside Road, Wynnewood
• 500 block Dale Road, Wynnewood
• 1400 block Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood
• 500 block Haverford Road, Wynnewood
• 700 block Sussex Road, Wynnewood
• 200 block Argyle Road, Ardmore
• Unit block Church Road, Ardmore
• 200 block Barwynne Lane, Wynnewood
• City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd
• Unit block Heckamore Road, Bala Cynwyd
• 1700 block Balsam Lane, Villanova

Several items reported stolen last week in Haverford and Radnor townships were found scattered at the scene of the Ardmore and Wynnewood thefts, police said, including a purse stolen from a car in Haverford and credit cards stolen from Radnor.

According to the police report, a man caught on a Wynnewood home's surveillance tape matches the description provided by a witness to the Haverford purse theft. Police said they are looking for a tall, thin black male in his mid-20s, with facial hair.

Lower Merion Township sent out an email alert on Tuesday afternoon, which states:

Please be advised over the past few days there have been several parked cars entered overnight in the Penn Wynne and Wynnewood sections of the Township.  Some vehicles have been left unlocked, while others had valuables in plain view.  Everyone is asked to keep vehicles locked and either remove items of value or keep them in the trunk.  All suspicious activities should be reported to the police department by calling 911 or 610-642-4200.