Norristown Police Continue To Combat Vehicle Thefts

NORRISTOWN —Norristown police department thanked local restaurants and businesses for helping to educate the community how to prevent vehicle theft.

The local business distributed brochures to customers providing tips on how to prevent being victims of the borough’s primary problems- vehicle theft and theft inside vehicles.

From May 16 to 30, a total of 11 vehicles were reported stolen and six thefts of items inside vehicles were reported stolen.

Norristown Police Chief Derrick E. Wood said auto thefts are increasing in the borough because motorists are leaving their cars running and unattended.

According to the borough's crime reports from May 16 to May 30:

Reported Theft of Motor Vehicle

• 1100 block of Powell Street
• 700 block of West Oak Street
• 300 block of West Marshall Street
• 500 block of Barbadoes Street
• 600 block of West Main Street
• 400 block of Hamilton Street
• 100 block of West Marshall Street
• 300 block of Brown Street
• 1000 block of New Hope Street
• 1100 block of Powell Street
• 700 block of East Oak Street

Reported Theft from Motor Vehicle

• 200 block of Buttonwood Street
• 200 block of Buttonwood Street
• 200 block of West Freedley Street
• 1500 block of Harding Boulevard
• 1000 block of Cooke Lane
• 1700 block of North Hill Drive.

Here are ways to prevent theft of autos and items inside autos, according to police:

• Always keep the doors locked and keys with you anytime you leave your vehicle, even if it's for a two-minute run into the house or store.
• Do not leave items of value in plain view inside your car. Lock them in your trunk or hide them so as not to tempt someone to take them.
• Do not leave your car running to warm up if you are not in your car. It only takes seconds for someone to notice this and take advantage of the situation.
• Never leave a spare set of keys in your car for convenience. Thieves will look for these and use them to deprive your vehicles. This includes valet keys.
• Park your car in a well-lit area, if possible. Thieves hate the light.

• The shootings were reported May 21 in the 600 block of West Lafayette Street and May 28 at East Basin and Green streets.
• The shots fired were reported on May 24 in the 400 block of Forrest Avenue.
• Burglaries were reported May 16 in the 600 block of Haws Avenue, May 19 400 block of East Airy Street, and May 30 in the 1000 block of New Hope Street.
• The robberies were reported May 24 in the 600 block of West Main Street, May 26 inthe 100 block of Haws Avenue and May 29 in the zero block of East Freedley Street.

To provide police information, call 610-270-0977 or you can remain anonymous by calling 610-278-TIPS or NPDTips@norristown.org