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Brookhaven police report uptick in retail thefts, two vehicle recoveries and request to PennDOT to study Edgemont/Whitley intersection
Summary
Acting Chief reported 696 calls for service in January, continuing retail theft problems, two motor-vehicle-theft recoveries and resident concerns about the Edgemont Avenue/Whitley Road intersection; police urged residents to guard against phone scams demanding payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.
Acting Chief Abich presented the Brookhaven Police Department’s January activity report at the Feb. 3 council meeting, highlighting continued retail thefts, two motor-vehicle-theft cases that were later recovered, public concerns about intersection safety at Edgemont Avenue and Whitley Road, and an ongoing wave of telephone scams targeting residents.
Acting Chief Abich told council the department initiated or was assigned 696 calls for service in January, filed 10 criminal cases and 13 summary cases with district court, and handled 30 vehicle crashes. The department recorded two recent motor-vehicle thefts; one Hyundai was recovered in Wilmington, Del., and a stolen truck was recovered in New Jersey, the chief said. “From what we can tell,” he said, recent Hyundai/Kia thefts often result in recoveries in Wilmington.
The chief relayed a resident’s safety concern about the Edgemont Avenue and Whitley Road intersection at the Shops at Brookhaven and suggested council consider asking PennDOT to study the intersection. The department noted that many accidents there are rear-end collisions and that an angled crosswalk and a road hump reduce sight lines.
Acting Chief Abich and Detective Whetton also warned residents about fraud schemes that impersonate Apple, Microsoft, PECO or government agencies and demand payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards. The chief urged residents to “hang up” and consult a trusted contact or call 911 if unsure; the department will review calls and advise whether an approach appears to be a scam.
Ending
Council agreed to consider sending an inquiry to PennDOT to study the Edgemont/Whitley intersection; police said they will continue neighborhood canvasses for CCTV footage and emphasized public education on fraud prevention.
