Full Notification

*Please see the attached email from Trooper Vanim of the Pennsylvania State Police Fogelsville barracks. This is an important message that may, at some point, affect residents in the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police jurisdiction. Any questions, please contact me. Thank you.

Inv. Peter Nickischer


Good Morning,

I am sending out this email in an effort to make you all aware of an issue and that you each can get the word out to your neighborhoods. On February 18th two burglaries were investigated where the actor(s) entered the vacant apartments and cut out and removed all exposed copper pipe in Lower Macungie Twp. off of Brookside Road in a housing development just south of Hamilton Blvd.

Yesterday (March 2nd) in Upper Milford Twp. another burglary was investigated where the actor(s) broke into a vacant home which was up for sale and the copper pipe was stolen.

(It should be noted that other police jurisdictions in the region are investigating similar burglaries.)

Before this becomes a “burglary spree” here in our neighborhoods I am asking that we get the word out to the neighborhoods to be more alert and to call us (PA STATE POLICE 610-395-1438)or 911 immediately if suspicious activity is observed in our neighborhoods especially for the houses next door to us which are up for sale or rent. The obvious would be persons carrying pipes or buckets (which may be filled with pipes) out to their vehicle from a vacant house or apartment—but the suspicious persons may be engaged in other activities as well—and they may be getting away with this to date as they may be dressing and acting as if they are in the home on a “legitimate” service call. Also—the copper pipes in question may not be shiny and copper colored—they are most likely aged and would be brown or patina green. If vehicles are observed please, while be aware of your personal safety and while not putting yourself in a situation that may cause you harm, try to obtain a detailed physical description of the vehicle(s) and/ or a license plate number, and a description of the persons involved if possible and make the report accordingly—BUT I STRESS, DO NOT CONTACT, APPROACH or TRY TO STOP SUSPICIOUS PERSONS as they may be the burglar/ thieves and I would consider them to be DANGEROUS.

These burglaries are happening both day and night.

Please—help us to better serve you and the residents in the area—talk to each other and your neighbors.

Thank You,


Tpr. Kirk R. VANIM
Pennsylvania State Police
Troop M, Fogelsville Barracks
Criminal Investigation Unit
610-395-1438