Thieves usually know no boundaries, but luckily for Baldwin-Whitehall residents, a string of possibly related home break-ins in the area has been limited so far—albeit barely—to Castle Shannon Borough.

The Castle Shannon Police Department is investigating the three similar burglaries, two of which occurred very near Baldwin Township. The other happened just past the Whitehall Borough border.

The latest incident occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 15, on 6th Street, adjacent to the northwestern border of Whitehall, according to the Castle Shannon municipal website.

The burglar, or burglars, entered a 6th Street home through an unlocked rear kitchen window, gaining access by climbing on lawn furniture. Cash was taken from a purse.

That incident followed a similar crime reported on Saturday on Castle Shannon's northern border with Baldwin Township in which a person, or people, entered a home overnight by cutting through a screen window on a rear patio at ground level. Cash was taken from purses.

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, another burglary was reported near the Baldwin Township border. This one, in the northcentral area of the borough, happened during daylight hours and came as a result of entry through a rear kitchen window. Jewelry was taken.

WTAE reports that the Saturday break-in was on Waterford Drive, while the Aug. 7 one was on Maplewood Drive.

"Overnight burglaries in residential homes are especially concerning," the Castle Shannon site reads, "owing to the potential conflict if the intruder is confronted by a homeowner or occupant."

Castle Shannon police have offered some safety prevention tips to thwart potential criminals:

1.) Conduct a five-minute house check at night. Make sure that your windows and doors are locked. If you are renting, and the windows aren't locking or there is a problem with the door, put a call into your maintenance office immediately. If you are a homeowner, call a repair service or a friend to get the situation resolved. Time is of the essence.

2.) If you don't have a home security alarm, consider getting one installed. Or, you could purchase window or door alarms that aren't connected to a main system but will still make sound to scare off intruders. If a security or alarm system isn't in your budget, you can always stick alarm stickers on your windows and place signs outside of your home that say that your home is secure. This could deter a burglar from breaking into your home.

3.) Purchase steel or wooden bars to place in between windows or sliding glass doors. You can buy these at your local hardware store.

4.) Sleep with a cellphone and/or a house phone next to your bed.

5.) If your car has an alarm, you can keep that remote next to you at night. If someone enters your home, hit the alarm button for your vehicle. That always draws attention. You should also call police.

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