DICKSON CITY, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Three people are in custody in connection with stolen cars and attempted car thefts this weekend near Scranton. The targeted automobiles all have something in common.
28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape spent the day in that neighborhood investigating.
People living in Dickson City, where the crimes occurred, told 28/22 News their neighborhood is quiet, and now the car crimes leave them concerned.
Check out one of the cars that Dickson City police say someone tried to swipe on Price Street Friday night into Saturday morning.
A would-be thief tore apart the steering column to try and start the car, but was unsuccessful.
Another car was stolen right next door around the same time.
Over on nearby Dimmick and Lincoln streets, another theft and attempted theft were also reported.
"It does make us a little more on edge. We have the, obviously, the Ring doorbell camera, we have cameras in the back, and then we're gonna set up some more cameras we have just to watch and, you know, just keep an eye on where we have the cars parked," Dickson City resident Joshua Conaboy said.
One of the stolen cars was recovered Saturday night in Scranton. The other was involved in a crash on Interstate 81 near South Abington Township and recovered early Sunday morning.
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One of the victims tells 28/22 News while they didn't make off with his car, they did manage to take his AirPods. He says he was able to track them to North Scranton, coincidentally, only a few hundred feet from where another stolen car was found.
Three people were arrested in connection with the two thefts, but it is still unclear if all of the car crimes are connected.
"It's definitely a safe neighborhood, but I don't think, you know, nowadays you can't be too cautious or ever take something as far as a safe neighborhood for granted," Dan Barrett from Dickson City explained.
Among the four crimes, two of the cars were Kias, two of them were Hyundais. Both companies have come under fire in the last few years for a manufacturing vulnerability which makes them easier for thieves to steal without a key.
The two companies have since released a software update that should prevent theft, but it's not 100% foolproof.
Regardless of what kind of cars they own, neighbors say they are staying vigilant.
"I already have security cameras on the house, we're aware of what's going on around our house," Barrett added.
Police are still investigating the string of thefts, but warn residents to keep their vehicles locked, keep valuables hidden from view, and keep keys out of the vehicle when not in use.
