NPS Warns Visitors of Increase in Thefts in Park

Date: June 3, 2015
Contact: Eric Lisnik, Chief Ranger, [phone]

Superintendent John J. Donahue encourages visitors to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to park officials. Over the past several weeks the park has been experiencing an increase in thefts from motor vehicles. Superintendent Donahue would like to remind visitors to the park to protect themselves and their property from these crimes of opportunity by leaving valuables at home or in another secure location out of sight from the eyes of would-be thieves.

The thefts from motor vehicles have mostly occurred in the southern end of the park at the Dunfield Trail Head, Lake Lenape Trail Head, and Hialeah Picnic Area. The thefts have had several things in common: items taken were clearly visible in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the vehicle's windows were either partially down allowing thieve(s) to force the window down to gain access to the visible items, or the thieve(s) shattered the window to gain access to the visible items. Park Rangers have increased their patrols in these as well as other trailheads and parking areas in the park, but your help is needed.

Visitors are reminded to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity. National Park Service rangers and special agents are actively pursuing leads in these cases in conjunction with New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. If you have any information that might assist law enforcement officers in this investigation, please contact the park at [phone], Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4:30 pm, or call the park's 24-hour emergency communications center, toll free, at [phone].