New surveillance video shows a group of thieves targeting a home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania., about 20 minutes before gunfire erupted on a nearby residential street during a string of attempted vehicle thefts.
Bristol Township police said the video, captured by a surveillance camera outside a home on Dixon Drive in Croydon, shows an armed individual and several accomplices attempting to open a garage door.
Investigators say the group also rummaged through one of the homeowner’s vehicles before leaving empty-handed.
Police believe the same group was involved in a shooting on nearby Colonial Drive around 4 a.m. Friday, when bullets struck at least two vehicles and several homes.
Investigators say the gunfire erupted after a Dodge SUV owner confronted suspected thieves who were trying to steal his vehicle. The owner had spotted the group on his Ring camera and confronted them while carrying a gun.
The man told police he did not fire his weapon and only displayed it to scare off the suspects.
“Two vehicles left the area. That vehicle remained and it appears that driver and a passenger exited the vehicle and then fired random shots down the roadway. It’s possible that they were targeting a vehicle of a resident that reported that he had confronted them,” Bristol Township police Lt. Mark Titus said.
Residents described the shooting as shocking and said they were relieved no one was seriously injured.
The group managed to steal a minivan and a pickup truck belonging to Kyle Brooks, who said he had purchased the truck for work just days earlier.
“They can have it is. It is what it is. It’s just a shame that you’ve got to fire shots off for innocent people just because you’re annoyed, you’re mad that you couldn’t get another vehicle,” Brooks said.
Investigators say Brooks’ stolen pickup was later spotted by a Flock license plate reader traveling south on Interstate 95 toward Philadelphia.
Bristol Township police say vehicle thefts have become an increasing concern across the area, particularly as some incidents turn violent.
“All the neighboring jurisdictions, as well as Bristol Township, we’ve experienced an uptick in vehicle thefts recently,” Titus said.
NBC10 Investigators analyzed vehicle theft data across Bucks County and found that Bristol Township recorded 84 reported vehicle thefts between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, the same number reported during that period last year.
Police reported a similar situation in neighboring Bensalem.
Farther into Bucks County, the numbers were lower. Warminster Township police reported 17 vehicle thefts during the same period, while Doylestown Township reported two.
Despite the unchanged year-over-year total in Bristol Township, police say the recent string of thefts and the use of gunfire have heightened their concerns.
“Takes it to the next level, so we’re very concerned about that,” Titus said.
Bristol Township police say they are increasing patrols in the area and considering a drone first responder program as part of next year’s budget.
Investigators believe the suspects may have traveled into Philadelphia and are asking anyone with information to contact police.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.
