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Thieves breaking into homes, stealing cars across Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police are warning people about a recent string of burglaries that, in some cases, have led to car thefts. In the last 10 days, there have been 23 reported incidents.

The burglaries are happening in neighborhoods all across the city. Reports were taken in Chartiers City, Crafton Heights, Sheraden, Elliott, Southside Slopes, Southside Flats, Highland Park, Troy Hill, Spring Hill-City View and Spring Garden.

“In most of these cases, evidence shows the burglars either climbed through an open window, either cutting or removing the screen, or they pushed a window air conditioner into the residence and climbed through the open window,” said Sgt. William Volberg of the Pittsburgh Police Department.

Detectives said the burglars are entering occupied homes at night, which is unusual.

In order to protect yourself, police recommend keeping windows closed whenever possible. If you need to have window open, it should be secured. If you have a window air conditioning unit, secure it with straps.

Police told Channel 11 the thieves are after vehicles and not valuables, so if you do leave your window open, do not leave your keys where they are visible.

“They’re not spending any time looking for valuable items,” Volberg said. “In some cases, there have been valuable items in the rooms where the keys were.”

If you were targeted, call Pittsburgh police and your car insurance company.