Bristol Township Police Link Colonial Drive Shootings to Garage Break-In

Bristol Township police are investigating a shooting that occurred in the Croydon neighborhood early Friday morning.

The incident began at 3:57 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, when two people tried to open a garage door at a local residence. Surveillance video captured the pair attempting to access the garage. The homeowner later noted that the individuals may have also searched an unlocked car in the driveway before moving to the garage. No damage was found on either the vehicle or the house at that time.

The resident called police nearly five hours after the event. They made this call after reviewing home security footage that showed at least one suspect holding a handgun. The homeowner allowed police to release the video to help identify the suspects. Police are keeping the specific address private for safety reasons.

At 4:15 a.m., officers responded to calls about gunfire and stolen cars on Colonial Drive. Witnesses said several people arrived in one car and checked the handles of parked vehicles. When a resident confronted the masked group, the suspects stepped back for a moment. They then returned and fired an estimated 10 to 13 rounds at the resident's home and vehicle.

Bullets struck a neighboring SUV and at least two adjacent houses. No one was injured in the exchange. The suspects fled the scene in two vehicles: a newly purchased pickup truck and another car from the neighborhood.

In a Monday press release, authorities stated they believe the shooting on Colonial Drive is connected to the attempted burglary reported 20 minutes earlier. Investigators said the individuals may be part of a larger regional vehicle theft ring. Officials noted that while opportunistic car thefts are common in the area, the use of firearms increases the public safety risk.

Police advise residents to treat the suspects as armed and dangerous. They urge the public to keep homes and vehicles locked and to call 911 immediately if they see suspicious activity. Callers should provide details on suspect descriptions, vehicle details, exact locations, and travel directions. Residents should also save any relevant security camera footage for investigators.