Police seek theft suspects, warn of rise in petty crimes
State police are hoping some simple measures can help abate a recent spike in thefts from vehicles and property in Fayette County.
Trooper Stefani Plume, public relations officer for state police in Uniontown, said that because of the recent increase in thefts, police are hoping area residents will take a few extra precautions to safeguard their property in an effort to curtail would-be thieves.
“As always, it is our main concern to keep our community safe and for our citizens to feel safe in their neighborhoods,” Plume said. “We encourage anyone that sees anything unusual to please contact 911 immediately and report it to your local law enforcement agency. The amount of time you wait to report suspicious activity directly impacts the chances of solving these types of crimes. You are the eyes and ears of the community, and we encourage you to take an active role in keeping your neighborhoods safe.”
Plume said residents should never do anything to risk their own safety but said that simply reporting such incidents can lead to arrests and prevent future incidents from happening.
Police suggested simple steps like locking vehicles and removing personal items such as wallets, purses, electronics and guns from vehicles when not occupied.
Officers also said that removing items of value from lawns and from the outside of houses will help to deter thieves from targeting residences.
Plume also said that concerned residents who might begin to notice a pattern of such incidents can join forces with their neighbors and start a neighborhood watch program.
“We are available to help get a program like that started in your neighborhood. Please contact us if you have questions,” Plume said.