Bensalem Car Thefts On The Rise

BENSALEM, PA — Bensalem's public safety director has some simple advice to help curb an uptick in auto thefts in the township: take your key fob with you.

From 2019 to 2020, there was a 61 percent increase in automobile thefts in Bensalem, Public Safety Director Fred Harran said in a video posted Friday. He said much of that increase can be attributed to people leaving their automatic key fobs inside their vehicles.

"We're getting too used to the convenience of these little fobs," Harran said in the video. "People are leaving them in their cars. A thief will come by at night and pull on the door handle. If your fob is there, the door is either open or the door will release because the fob is there. They get in the car, hit the start button and drive away."

He said people are also stealing cars left running at gas stations for joy rides. Even without the key fob, the car will keep running until it stops and, often, the stolen cars are found abandoned in Philadelphia, Harran said.

"Please help us help you," Harran said. "Lock your car. Take the fob with you."

You may watch the video below: