Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Easly from Troop M was canvassing houses on Walnut Lane in Lower Macungie Township during the late afternoon June 26 to alert neighbors about a rash of burglaries recently in the otherwise quiet Ancient Oaks community.

The suburban neighborhood has been the target of an opportunistic thief or group of thieves who seek cash, jewelry and valuables that can be quickly grabbed and easy to fence.

Among the properties in the 1200 block of Walnut Lane, a bicycle was stolen from an open garage during the week of June 16. Across the street, a couple returning from a June 21 evening visit with a nearby relative, found their two-story home had been broken into. After failing to pry open a sliding patio door, which had been reinforced by a long block of wood, the perpetrators had smashed their way into the residence through a first floor back window. They ransacked the bedrooms upstairs taking only cash and jewelry.

Valuables were taken from an unlocked car, in the same block June 26. As with seven similar reported thefts from vehicles in the area, it happened overnight. Those vehicles had been left unlocked, as well.

“So far there’s been over a dozen combined thefts and break-ins involving vehicles and homes,” Easly said. The suspects gained access through unlocked doors in some of the cases. “They keep coming back to this same location,” he added, “Hickory to Butternut, to Walnut and the surrounding quarter mile.”

Sgt. Corby at the Fogelsville barracks said they are investigating whether these incidents are connected to the same suspect or to different suspects or groups. He encouraged victims of unreported thefts to contact the police.

“Keep your doors locked,” Eastly advised. “Keep your houses locked.” He continued, “If you see anything suspicious going on, you should call us.”

Anyone with information on these incidents or home security surveillance footage of possible suspects are asked to contact Troop M at the Fogelsville barracks at 610-395-1438. To report a crime in progress, call 911.