Police: Seward-area Corvette targeted among vehicle thefts in 3 counties

State police are investigating a string of vehicle thefts from three counties, including Westmoreland.

Troopers this week searched for a red 2014 Corvette Stingray stolen from the Seward area.

It was among three vehicles stolen since Friday night or early Saturday morning in what investigators believe are connected thefts across the region, according to Trooper Clifford Greenfield, a state police spokesman based in Indiana County.

Police are looking for at least three suspects who were seen on surveillance video during thefts from unlocked vehicles between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Saturday in the Brookwood Estates neighborhood of White Township, Indiana County. Stolen items include a checkbook, a dash cam, bank cards and a wallet.

Video shows two suspects walking through the neighborhood. One suspect is seen attempting to open the door of a locked vehicle before the pair flee in a silver Chevrolet Sonic sedan driven by a third suspect.

One suspect wore a dark shirt or jacket with a white or reflective stripe along the shoulder and black-and-white Nike sneakers with colored rubber on the soles.

Investigators learned the Sonic used was stolen Friday night or early Saturday from Ferndale, Cambria County. According to Greenfield, that car was found abandoned in Bedford County, where a Ford Taurus was stolen. The Taurus was found abandoned with a flat tire in Johnstown.

“We do believe that all three of those vehicle thefts are connected and that the suspects involved would have been the suspects involved in the thefts from motor vehicles here in White Township on Saturday morning,” Greenfield said.

He said police are looking into whether there is any connection between the vehicle thefts and a series of overnight burglaries and thefts May 10-11 in Indiana County’s Cherryhill, Rayne and White townships.

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest in the thefts. Anonymous tips can be reported by calling 1-800-472-8477.

Greenfield said residents are encouraged to lock their vehicles, homes and outbuildings, to keep valuables out of sight and to immediately report suspicious activity.