National Park Service seeks information on vehicle break-ins at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
UPDATE: The National Park Service this morning has released a photo of a person of interest in the vehicle break-ins at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The photo was captured at a retail store in the Stroudsburg, PA area where purchases were made using stolen credit cards tied to the break-ins.
DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA – US Park Rangers at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area are seeking information from the public to aid an ongoing investigation into recent vehicle break-ins within the park.
Over the past month, an unknown person broke into multiple vehicles at various park trailheads and stole purses and wallets with ID, cash, and credit cards that were then used for fraudulent purchases amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
Park rangers have identified a white male, 25-35 years old, with dark hair as a person of interest in the most recent string of break-ins.
“As always, it is never a good idea to leave valuables in your vehicle, especially in plain sight, when visiting the park,” said Chief Ranger Eric Lisnik. Park rangers suggest visitors stow valuables out of sight in a locked trunk before arriving at a destination, take them along while recreating, or leave them at home. “Unfortunately, not everyone who visits the park has the best intentions in mind and many of these break-ins have been crimes of opportunity where valuables have been left in plain sight in vehicles with only a glass window to protect them,” added Lisnik. “While rangers investigate these recent incidents, we want to warn visitors against making themselves easy targets for criminals while visiting the park.”
You don’t have to tell them who you are, but tell them what you know. To report a tip or share information:
- Call or Text the tip line: 888-653-0009
- Online: go.nps.gov/SubmitATip
- Email: nps_isb@nps.gov
- Emergency: Dial 9-1-1