Auto thieves hit Arbutus and Lansdowne

The thefts and attempted thefts of nearly 20 vehicles from the Arbutus and Lansdowne areas in less than two months has Baltimore County police asking for the public's help.

"That is high," said Det. Cathy Batton, a police spokeswoman, on the 19 incidents involving cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs since Aug. 18.

As of Oct. 5, the most recent theft occurred Sept. 27.

The incidents involve 10 Dodge, three Chrysler, two Plymouth and two Jeep vehicles, as well as one Toyota and one Chevrolet.

Vehicle models between 1994 and 2006 have been the primary targets for the thefts, which take place between 1 and 4 a.m.

"We are not sure if that (manufacturer) is a personal preference of the people involved or if it's something about these vehicles that make them attractive to them," Batton said. "It may be these types of vehicles are what the thieves are most comfortable or most familiar with.

"But we're not sure at this point if they (incidents) are all connected," she said.

Often, the 15 vehicles that were stolen are found damaged, crashed or abandoned even before the owner has reported the theft in the morning, the release stated.

Batton said some of the vehicles have been found a few miles from where they were taken, while others have been recovered several hundred miles away.

On Aug. 23, for example, police pulled a stolen white Chrysler minivan from a pond at Hillcrest Park in Lansdowne. The vehicle rolled into the pond from a nearby hill. A dive team found no one inside the vehicle.

Four of the thefts occurred in the neighborhoods surrounding Linden Avenue, near Halethorpe Elementary School at 4300 Maple Ave.

Five thefts occurred within a half-mile radius of the intersection of Hollins Ferry Road and Bero Road, and only blocks away from Riverview Elementary School at 3298 Kessler Road.

Batton said why the older Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep models have been targeted and why they are recovered in various locations are questions that may not be answered until the thieves are caught.

"In many cases, these are targets of opportunity," she said.

Owners, police said, should park at-risk vehicles in a driveway with other vehicles behind it.

Police also advise residents to lock car doors, keep valuables out of sight and secure steering wheels with a locking device.

Including thefts in Catonsville, Baltimore County police from the Wilkens Station who patrol Precinct 1 have responded to 33 calls for auto thefts since Aug. 18, said Cpl. John Wachter, a police spokesman.

"The best way we can prevent this stuff is the people checking their vehicle doors (and) making sure their valuables aren't left in the area," Wachter said. "If you see someone in the area acting suspiciously, give us a call."

Police have no information about suspects.

The police ask anyone with information to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-2587.

Callers to Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may receive an award of up to $2,000.