May 18, 2015 2 min read

Canonsburg police are investigating whether a burglary of a home on Chartiers Avenue Sunday is connected with a rash of thefts from several vehicles parked on streets in the borough’s East End over the weekend.

Teresa Bane told police that she and her boyfriend left her house in the 500 block of Chartiers about 1:30 p.m. Sunday and returned about five hours later to discover the home had been burglarized. A handkerchief that had contained 25 to 50 old coins from her grandmother was empty on the bedroom floor. Dresser drawers also were left open.

Stolen in addition to the coins were her boyfriend’s iPod Touch, her bank and credit cards, and her driver’s license. One of her cards was used to make a $500 purchase at Giant Eagle in Strabane Square, South Strabane Township.

Police said it appears the home was entered through a rear door. Bane told police she believes the door was locked.

The burglary may be related to thefts from about 10 vehicles parked on streets in the neighborhood, including Blaine, Duquesne, Franklin and Giffin avenues. Some owners believed their vehicles were locked, others were unsure and some admitted to not locking the doors.

Among the items stolen was a Louis Vuitton purse valued at $2,000 and a $500 Louis Vuitton wallet containing several credit cards. Also reported stolen were work clothes that included flame-retardant rain gear, an accessory bag for a vehicle, a hunting knife, a GPS and Xanax pills. Most reported loose change was stolen, although one victim reported $230 in cash stolen from her vehicle.

“These are crimes of opportunity,” said police Chief Al Coghill. “Valuables should not be left in vehicles and make sure vehicle doors as well as doors to your homes are locked.”

Anyone with information about the burglary or thefts is asked to call Detective Michael Ledger at 724-745-8020, ext. 523.