6 thefts from vehicles reported in Brookline neighborhood in days before Christmas, police say

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Public Safety officials are releasing more details about the events that led to them warning people who live and park in the Brookline area about thefts from vehicles.

Pittsburgh Police initially alerted the public to the issue of increasing vehicle break-ins in the neighborhood on Christmas Day.

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Now, officials tell Channel 11 that in the days leading up to Christmas, there were six thefts from vehicle reports on the following streets: Berwin Avenue, Dunster Street, Starkamp Street, and Alwyn Street. Additionally, there were two reports of incidents on Eathan Avenue.

According to investigators, none of the vehicles showed signs of having forced entry, so they were all likely left unlocked. All of them had been rummaged through and several had small items stolen. However, one of them had a wallet stolen from it, which had $300 and credit cards inside.

Police are also investigating after a vehicle was stolen outside a family’s home on Fernhill Avenue. Investigators said the family had returned home, unloaded some items, and left the keys in the unlocked vehicle when they went inside. It was then stolen from in front of their house.

Public safety officials said police are working to identify at least four potential actors from surveillance video. They said the footage is still being reviewed.

Police have assigned directed patrols in Brookline but are asking everyone who lives and parks in the area to remove visible items from unattended vehicles.

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