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

April 25th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's unlocked Volvo was entered and gone through overnight while parked in the driveway of the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is continuing.

Theft of Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - A Uber Eats delivery driver had their Kia stolen from outside of the restaurant where they parked the vehicle.  The driver went inside the restaurant to retrieve an order and left their vehicle unlocked and running in the parking lot.  The investigation into the incident is continuing.

April 22nd, 2026

Theft of Bicycle (Merion Station) -  The victim had multiple bicycles stolen from the driveway of their residence sometime over the past couple of days.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

April 21st, 2026

Theft of Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Ford was stolen from the from the driveway of the victim's residence overnight.  The vehicle was left unlocked with the keys left inside.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

April 15th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Wynnewood) - The victim's Mercedes was entered and gone through overnight while parked in the parking lot of their apartment complex.  The actor was observed fleeing the scene and taken into custody by police.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

April 14th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Wynnewood) - The victim's Volvo 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 (Wynnewood) - The victim's Ford 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 (Gladwyne) - The victim's Ford was entered and gone through earlier this morning while parked at a local park.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

April 13th, 2026

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

April 12th, 2026

Attempted Theft of Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Hyundai had the rear driver's side window broken out and the steering column tampered with while parked in the rear alley behind the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Kia had the rear driver's side window broken out while parked in the rear alley behind the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is continuing.

April 11th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The vicitm's Porsche was entered and gone through overnight while parked in the parking garage of the victim's apartment complex.  The investigation into the incident is continuing. 

April 10th, 2026

Theft of Bicycle (Merion Station) - The victim's bicycle was stolen off of the victim's property during the morning hours of this date.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

April 9th, 2026

Theft of Vehicle (Merion Station) - The victim's Hyundai was stolen from the driveway of the victim's residence during the overnight hours.  The vehicle was left unlocked with the keys left inside.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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

April 8th, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Villanova) - The victim reported that they were alerted to motion in their driveway in the early mornings hours and observed multiple vehicles pull up to their residence and multiple actors run up to their vehicles parked in their driveway.  No access was gained to the victim's vehicles before the actors fled.  The investigation into the incident is continuing.

Theft of Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim's Jeep was stolen from the driveway of the victim's residence during the early morning hours.  The keys of the vehicle were left within.  The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Theft of Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim's Maserati was stolen from the driveway of the victim's residence during the early morning hours.  The keys of the vehicle were left within.  The investigation into this incident is ongoing. 

Theft of Vehicle (Bryn Mawr) - The victim's Ford was stolen from the driveway of the victim's residence during the early morning hours.  The keys of the vehicle were left within.  The investigation into this incident is ongoing. 

Theft of Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim's Lexus was stolen from the driveway of the victim's residence during the early morning hours.  The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Attempted Theft of Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim had multiple vehicles entered and attempted to be stolen from the driveway of the victim's residence during the early morning hours.  The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Theft of Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim's Toyota was stolen from the street in front of the victim's residence during the early morning hours.  The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

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

Theft from Vehicle (Bryn Mawr) - The victim's Porsche was entered and gone through overnight was parked in the driveway of the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Attempted Theft of Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim had their Porsche entered and attempted to be stolen from the driveway of the victim's residence during the early morning hours.  The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

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

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

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

Attempted Theft of Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim reported that an actor attempted to enter and steal their Acura from the driveway of their residence during the early morning hours.  The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

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

Attempted Burglary (Gladwyne) - The victim's returned home to observe doors to the storage area of their residence standing open.  Upon checking their security system they observed that multiple actors attempted to enter the residence through the rear doors during the early morning hours.  The actors did not gain entry and fled in an unknown direction.

April 6th, 2026

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

April 5th, 2026

Burglary (Merion Station) -  A late reported burglary occurred on April 2nd at a local synagogue.  It appears that the actor entered during religious services and proceeded to force entry into secure portions of the building.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

April 3rd, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Wynnewood) - The vicitm's Honda was entered and gone through overnight while parked along the street near the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

April 1st, 2026

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's unlocked Honda was entered and gone through overnight while parked across the street from the victim's residence.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

March 31st, 2026

Theft of Vehicle (Bryn Mawr) - The victim's trailer was stolen from the parking lot of a local business under construction sometime over the past 3 days.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

March 30th, 2026

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

Theft of Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's unlocked Honda was stolen from where it was parked along the street in front of the victim's residence during the overnight hours.  The investigation into the incident is continuing.

Theft of Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Hyundai was stolen from where it was parked along the street in front of the victim's residence during the overnight hours.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft from Vehicle (Bala Cynwyd) - The victim's Dodge was entered and gone through while parked in the parking lot of a local pharmacy during the early afternoon hours on this date.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Theft from Vehicle (Gladwyne) - The victim heard a loud noise outside their residence during the late evening hours.  When the victim look outside they observed multiple actors attempting to enter their Hyundai which was parked in the driveway of their residence.  The actors fled in an unknown direction and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.