The Lower Moreland Police Department announced today that several reports of theft from and of motor vehicles have been received lately. 

The department offered the following reminders: 

• Take your vehicle’s key; do not leave it in or on your vehicle.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Park in well-lit areas if possible.
• Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially if they can be seen from outside the vehicle.

“Thieves want vehicle parts and valuable items, too. Radios and wheel covers aren’t the only popular stolen vehicle parts thieves take,” the department said. “They want whatever sells, from the mandated labeled parts to those that aren’t. Some of the most popular vehicle parts or valuable items stolen from vehicles include doors, engines, transmissions, air bags, radios, GPS units, cell phones, iPads, laptops, and purses.”

If you are a victim or have video that you believe might help the department’s investigation, you can call 215-947-3132.  

In related news, the department also shared tips to avoid “porch pirates” during the holiday season:

1. Increased online activity can provide opportunities for cybercrime.  Be sure you are using secure sites to make your purchases and monitoring your accounts for suspicious activity.  
2. Consider the following: Send packages to your place of business. Sign up to receive a notification when it’s delivered. Ask a neighbor to retrieve it. Track your packages online. Require a signature. Install a security camera. Consider sending your packages to a 24/7 package locker, where it will be kept secure until you can pick it up.  
3. If you see suspicious activity, such as a vehicle continuously following the FedEx, UPS, or Amazon delivery driver after multiple stops, please be sure to call 911 right away.

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