Crime & Safety

Police Urge Residents to Secure Vehicles After String of Thefts

Anne Arundel County police said they had four vehicle theft cases at the Big Vanilla in Arnold on Sept. 21.

After a string of thefts occurred at the Big Vanilla in Arnold Friday morning, Anne Arundel County police are urging residents to secure valuables left in their cars.

Police spokesman Justin Mulcahy said there were four reported cases of vehicle theft on Friday morning. The thefts occurred in the parking lot at the Big Vanilla on Ritchie Highway.

Mulcahy said someone damaged and gained access to vehicles in the parking lot and took money and electronics.

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A Severna Park Patch reader said a resident of the area had her credit cards taken from her car while at the Big Vanilla last week.

“As always, we recommend that residents park in well-lit areas, secure their vehicle doors and windows and place valuables out of plain sight, preferably locked in a trunk,” Mulcahy wrote in an email to Patch.

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Those who frequent gyms and then leave wallets, purses or cell phones in lockers or cars while they exercise are encouraged to be careful. Police officials urge gym-goers to be cautious of where they leave their valuables. A wallet was taken from a locker at a gym in Gambrills earlier this month and police are seeking a man who was seen in surveillance photos using the credit cards.

Mulcahy said officers walked through the parking lot at the Big Vanilla in Arnold and put informational fliers on vehicles. He said they have also educated the business about these types of incidents.

A call to the Big Vanilla in Arnold asking for comment was not returned.


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