Distractions Lead To Attempted Thefts In Southern Ocean Co.: Police

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — Police are investigating two incidents in Little Egg Harbor where a pair lured people out of their cars in bank parking lots, police said.

In the afternoon on Aug. 26, a woman told police that after leaving TD Bank on Route 9 and getting into her car, a Hispanic woman wearing a white shirt and tan shorts knocked on her passenger side window and told her there were tacks behind her tire, police said. A thin Hispanic man was also nearby, according to police.

The woman got out of her car to remove the tacks and got back in after she was done, police said. When she did, she noticed her front passenger door was ajar, indicating that someone had entered while she was removing the tacks, police said.

The woman was not injured and nothing was taken, police said.

About five minutes later, police responded to Bank of America on Mathistown Road for a similar report. In this incident, a man was also approached by a woman wearing a white shirt after he left the bank and got into his car, police said. The woman told him through his passenger side window that he had dropped money on the ground behind his car, police said.

The man got out and saw money behind his car along with another man, police said. Since he knew he didn't drop any money, the man became suspicious and immediately got back into his car, locking the doors, police said.

He left the parking lot and saw a man and woman get into a copper-colored Nissan car and leave, police said. The man told police that the woman spoke with a Hispanic accent and the man was taller, had short hair and was wearing a medical mask.

In both incidents, a blue SUV was seen in the area, police said.

These incidents are currently being investigated by the Little Egg Harbor Police Department. Anyone with any information is asked to call Det. Joe Falkiewicz at (609) 296-3666 ext. 189.

Police reminded residents to be aware of their surroundings at all times and report suspicious activity to the Little Egg Harbor Police Department immediately.