Significant Crimes in Lower Merion Township

This page lists significant criminal events that occurred in Lower Merion Township over the past two week period and is not intended as a comprehensive view of all criminal activity in the Township.  For more detailed and comprehensive view see the police blotter by clicking here. 

PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL NOTICE

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY TREND – TRAVELING THEFT GROUPS

In recent years, the Lower Merion Police have investigated clusters of burglaries in Villanova, Gladwyne, Bryn Mawr, and Penn Valley. Homeowners have reported the loss of jewelry – both valuable and costume, small electronics, and U.S. Currency. These incidents have largely occurred between the hours of 4 pm and 10 pm while the homes are unoccupied. While many arrests have been made and local activity has slowed, organized traveling theft groups continue to plague the larger region and the nation.  It is important to know that these groups do not want to confront homeowners, which is why they target unoccupied homes. Nonetheless, we are asking the public to remain vigilant.

Residents who expect to be away for more than 48 hours are encouraged to take advantage of our Vacant House program by calling 610-649-1000 or visiting our website. This program allows you to provide the Police Department with your contact information, travel destination, and emergency contact information. A patrol officer will be assigned to conduct periodic security inspections of your home while you are away.

Residents may check the Crime Alerts on this page. A summary of crimes is updated several times a week. A more comprehensive list of all incidents reported to our dispatch center can be found on our police blotter page.

The Township also utilizes the Blackboard Connect system to notify residents of crime trends and emergencies. Residents may sign up on the Township’s website. Please note that Blackboard Connect allows the police to reach residents quickly if we have an urgent crime alert to provide. 

If you would like a security survey of your home, or more information on neighborhood security programs such as dog walker watch, contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 610-645-6240 during normal business hours.  

What else can the public do? 

• First and foremost: If you see something, say something.  Watch out for your neighbors and your neighborhood.  If something looks suspicious, call 9-1-1.  We will respond and investigate. 
• Keep doors and windows locked when not using them, along with keeping garage doors down. 
• Keep interior lights on timers, and the exterior of your home well lit. Burglars do not want to encounter homeowners so anything you can do to suggest someone is home can be a deterrent. 
• If you have an alarm, please arm it when away or arm the perimeter when inside for a period with no intention of leaving. If your alarm has an audible siren, utilize it to help deter any potential intruders. We know that burglars want anonymity, and frequently flee when audible or visual signals suddenly reveal their entry to a home.
• If able, consider adding window sensors to second story windows or any points of entry that overlook a first story roof line. Consider adding motion sensors to second floor hallways, especially outside of sleeping spaces or places where valuables are concentrated.
• If you have cameras, please make sure they are in working order. If you use battery operated cameras, please make sure that they are charged regularly and connected to your selected monitoring application. 
• Do not leave ladders around which can give easier access to second floor exterior entry points. Do not stack patio furniture or other large items near first story roof lines to prevent easy climbing points. 

Related Links:

Vacant House Program

Security Survey

Blackboard Connect

Police Blotter

July 29th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Merion Station) - The victim's unlocked Subaru was entered and gone through overnight while parked in the driveway of the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 28th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Honda was discovered to have all four tires removed from the vehicle during the overnight hours while parked in the parking garage of the victim's apartment complex.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The rear passenger window of the victim's Toyota was broken out and the interior of the vehicle was gone through.  This incident occurred during the overnight hours while the victim's vehicle was parked in the parking garage of the victim's apartment complex.  The investigation into the incident is continuing.

July 21st, 2026

Burglary (Bala Cynwyd) - An attempted burglary occurred at a local repair shop.  Entry was attempted to be gained through the roof of the business.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 20th, 2026

Theft of Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Honda was stolen from the parking lot of the victim's apartment complex during the overnight hours.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 17th, 2026

Theft from vehicle (Villanova) - A late reported theft from vehicle occurred the prior weekend from a unlocked BMW that was parked in the victim's driveway.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 16th, 2026

Theft (Ardmore) - The victim had their gym bag removed from an unsecured locker at a local fitness center.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 14th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Penn Wynne) - The victim's unlocked Honda was entered and gone through overnight while parked in the driveway of the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 12th, 2026

Burglary (Haverford) - Officers responded to a report of a male inside a business during the early morning hours.  Fresh damage was located to the rear of the business and a male matching the description was detain a short distance away.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 10th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Penn Wynne) - The victim's Mercedes was entered and gone through overnight while parked in front of the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft from Vehicle (Penn Wynne) - The victim's Lexus was entered and gone through overnight while parked in front of the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft from Vehicle (Penn Wynne) - The victim's unlocked GMC and Audi were entered and gone through overnight while parked in front of the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The sunroof to the victim's Dodge was broken out and the interior of the vehicle was gone through during the overnight hours.  The victim's vehicle was parked in the parking lot of the victim's apartment building.  The investigation into the incident is continuing.

Theft from Vehicle (Penn Wynne) - The victim's Infinity was entered and gone through overnight while parked in front of the victim's residence.  The incident into the incident is ongoing.

July 9th, 2026

Burglary (Bryn Mawr) - The owner of a local restaurant discovered force to the front door of their business and that the cash drawers had been gone through overnight.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing. 

July 8th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim's Subaru was entered and gone through while parked a local park.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 7th, 2026

Burglary (Haverford) -  Force was discovered to the rear door of a local business and that a safe had been entered and items/cash removed.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Burglary (Haverford) - A actor was observed within a local business during the overnight hours and it was later discovered the actor attempted to enter or remove the safes in multiple offices.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Burglary (Wynnewood) - The victim's residence was entered through a unsecured side window during the early evening hours.  Multiple rooms were entered and ransacked.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Burglary (Penn Valley) - Officers responding to the report of an alarm activation discovered force to a second floor french door.  The actor(s) appear to immediately go to the master bedroom and ransacking was discovered in this location.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 6th, 2026

Burglary (Bryn Mawr) - The victim's residence was entered through an unsecured side window during the overnight hours.  A laptop was taken from the residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Honda was entered and gone through during the day while parked at a local cemetery.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 5th, 2026

Theft of Vehicle (Penn Valley) - The victim's Mercedes was stolen from the driveway of the victim's residence during the overnight hours.  The keys to the vehicle appear to have been left inside the Mercedes.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 4th, 2026

Burglary (Haverford) - Force was discovered to the rear door of a local business and that a safe had been entered and items/cash removed.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 2nd, 2026

Theft of Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Dodge was stolen from the parking garage of the victim's apartment complex during the overnight hours.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

July 1st, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Merion Station) - The front drivers door of the victim's Honda was forced open and the interior of the vehicle was gone through during the overnight hours.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft of Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Honda was stolen from the parking lot of the victim's apartment complex sometime during the day.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.