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Nazareth, Pa., United States
Showing posts with label car theft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car theft. Show all posts

Friday, April 04, 2025

LV Drivers - Beware the Wolf Pack

After a week of politics, it's time for something completely different.

I recently took a defensive driving course to get a 5% discount on my car insurance. I must have learned something because I now always wear my seatbelt, avoid using the cell phone, keep both handles on the wheel and lock my car. As I reflect on my past driving habits, it's a wonder I'm still alive or had a car to drive because I never locked it.  I have a friend who, unlike me, has always religiously locked his car. But a few days ago, he was busy carting his kids to and fro and running several errands. When he turned in for the night, he forgot to lock his car. The next morning, when he left His North Bethlehem house to go to work, his car was gone. As (bad) luck would have it, he had just finished paying it off. It was the handiwork of what Bethlehem police told him is called the Wolf Pack. I've had two nice bikes stolen over the years, but never a car. 

As my friend was dialing 911, a police cruiser pulled up to his house.  Apparently, thieves had thrown most of his personal belongings onto a neighbor's lawn. He was called later that morning and told that his vehicle had been used in an unsuccessful carjacking in West Bethlehem. 

I figured his car was a goner, but it was actually discovered Wednesday night outside of Planet Fitness on Stefko Boulevard. Police are processing the car for fingerprints, guns and illegal drugs. He should get his car back today, although he's unsure whether it's damaged. 

Although some people may actually need to have their car returned right away, processing is a good idea. There could be trace amounts of fentanyl inside, which can make you very sick.

Police told my friend that they suspect this is the work of a loosely knit group (gang?) calling themselves the wolf pack because they tend to travel in groups.  They walk up and down the streets of residential neighborhoods late at night, pulling on car handles. If the car is unlocked, they hop in and can use multiple devices to start the car and drive off. 

This group is out primarily to steal what's inside the car, if it has any value. If not, they chuck the personal belongings. Then they use the solen car to commit other crimes over the course of a day or two before abandoning it.

The way Bethlehem police responded to this theft is pretty impressive. But I'm sure they'd rather see us all lock our cars.