Now that cold weather is upon us, people who park their vehicles outside are tempted to either go out and start their vehicles to warm them up, or leave them running while they go into a store to shop. Either way, the vehicles are being left running and unattended. Don’t make your property an easy target for thieves! A running, unlocked car is too easy to steal! In fact, the Manheim Township Police Department has seen an increase in vehicle theft during the past week.
* On November 25th a person left their vehicle running while they went into the Turkey Hill on Manheim Pike. When they returned moments later, the vehicle had been stolen. It was recovered the next day after it was involved in a hit & run crash in Paradise Township.
* On December 1st a delivery driver left their box truck running while they made a delivery in the 900 block of East King Street in Lancaster Township. When they returned moments later, the vehicle had been stolen. It was recovered hours later in Lancaster City.
* On December 4th a person started their vehicle to warm it up in the 5700 block of Main Street in East Petersburg Borough. When they returned moments later, the vehicle had been stolen. The victim also had their purse inside the vehicle. The victim’s credit card/s were later used to make fraudulent purchases in Hershey, PA. This vehicle is still missing.
The above cases prove that our area is not immune to this problem, which is very easily avoided. Not only is the practice of leaving a vehicle running unattended unsafe, it may also be illegal. The PA Vehicle Code prohibits leaving a running, unattended vehicle upon any public roadway (Ref. 75§3701). Local municipalities, e.g. Lancaster Township, also have a local ordinance which prohibits this upon any private property as well (Ref. LT Ord. 270-1). Both laws carry a fine for any observed violations.
REMEMBER, WARM CAR = STOLEN CAR
MEDIA CONTACT: Sergeant Michael T. Piacentino, W: 717-569-6401 Ext: 1583, C: 717-340-2130, piacentm@police.co.lancaster.pa.us