Crime of opportunity

Stealing change and valuables from unattended vehicles is what police refer to as a "crime of opportunity." Opportunistic criminals are finding easy pickings in Tamaqua.

Police received a call at 6:08 a.m. on Aug. 24, after a Cottage Avenue resident saw a man going through their neighbor's vehicle. The male suspect was described as being in his 40s, wearing multicolor shorts and a black shirt.

When a resident went outside, the suspect ran west on Cottage Avenue. A search was made of the area, but the suspect was gone.

He did, however, leave behind the loot he had been collecting, including boots, waders and a phone charger. It was stacked nicely in a pile on the Iron Steps.

In all, items had been removed from four vehicles on Cottage Avenue. All of the vehicles had been left unlocked.