Footprints in Snow Lead Police to Prowling Thief

Footprints in the freshly fallen snow early Tuesday morning led city police to a Bethlehem man accused of entering unlocked vehicles and stealing items from them.

Michael Jimenez, 32, of 316 W. Broad St., was allegedly prowling around a North Bethlehem neighborhood, along W. Broad Street from Third to Fifth avenues, and trying doors on parked cars, police said.

A 911 call described a “suspicious” man trying car doors along the 500 block of Prospect Avenue, police said. Police on the scene found that several cars had been entered and their doors were ajar.

Police said they recovered several items from Jimenez and from his home. Those items include digital cameras, cell phones, cash, coins, lighters and other small items.

Jimenez is being charged with several counts of theft and receiving stolen property, along with possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Police are asking anyone who had their vehicle entered early Tuesday or previous nights and had property stolen to call Officer Stephanie Molnar at the Bethlehem Police Department, 610-865-7187.