O'Hara Township police investigating thefts from unlocked vehicles

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — O'Hara Township police are sending a warning after thieves stole from multiple vehicles in the Parkview neighborhood earlier this week. It's left the quiet community shaken up and seeking answers.

Jen Walters remains in disbelief more than 48 hours later. She was about to take her daughter to the bus stop down the street around 6:30 a.m. on Election Day, but when she opened her car, she couldn't believe what she saw.

"Everything was just thrown throughout our car," Walters said.

The console and glove compartment were all open. Papers were strewn about, and personal items were missing.

"I feel violated. It's horrible," Walters said. "My daughter had to move things to sit down."

She called police and dropped her daughter off by the Parkview fire hall, where she learned others were in the same boat.

"There were belongings all throughout the neighborhood," Walters said.

When Walters got back home to meet police, she realized more was missing from her trunk, her other car and her husband's truck. In total she believes the thieves got away with at least $800 worth of goods.

"There was no rhyme or reason," Walters said.

O'Hara Police Superintendent Jay Davis told KDKA they took at least six complaints of thefts from vehicles in the Parkview neighborhood between Nov. 4 and 6.

The incidents came one month after similar incidents by Dorseyville and Sharps Hill Roads. At this time, Davis cannot say if the thefts are related but that they involved unlocked vehicles.

"It was our fault, but we've lived here for 20-some years, and we've never locked our cars," Walters said. "We know everyone. Nobody knows how to get up here. It's not an easy place to find."

Now Walters plans to install an alarm system, get lights and cameras and keep everything locked.

"Everything has changed," Walters said.

She encourages others to do the same and is just sad that this is where they're at.

"We've never felt unsafe, never, and now we do," Walters said.

If you have any information about what happened or suspicious activity on surveillance cameras, you're asked to call O'Hara police at 412-784-1784.