Crafty thieves have managed to elude police and steal antique glass from vacant houses in Sharon for several years.

The thefts tend to happen in rashes, said police Capt. Michael Menster, noting the thefts will happen for a few months and then stop for awhile.

"The target houses have all been vacant, either for sale or being remodeled," Menster said. He added the thieves steal from older houses, which tend to have antique leaded, stained or beveled glass doors and windows.

The thieves usually break into the houses through basement windows and work from the inside, Menster said. They remove the glass without damaging anything and don't bother anything else in the homes, he said.

"They're very skilled. They're good at what they do," Menster said.

Menster said the police have tried to locate the stolen glass, even going so far as to check antique dealers and flea markets around Pittsburgh, but none of the stolen glass has been recovered.

Police have featured the thefts as part of the Mercer County Crime Solvers program, which offers up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and prosecution.

Residents in neighboring homes have never reported anything suspicious, and Menster said people who live near a vacant house should keep their eyes out for any strange activity.

In the latest theft, someone broke into a house in the 500 block of Spruce Avenue between Dec. 28 and Monday and stole a set of wooden and glass French doors and the home's front door that featured antique beveled glass.

Residents who see a suspicious person lurking around a vacant house should call 911, Menster said.

Anyone with information about the thefts can call Sharon police at (724) 983-3210.