Burglars Break Into Home, Steal Keys And 3 Cars In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Several car burglaries and attempted car burglaries were reported in the township last week, according to the Bernards Township Police Department(BTPD) blotter.

Bernards Township Police blotter from Jan. 2 to Jan. 8:

During the above timeframe, BTPD officers responded to 12 motor vehicle crashes with zero injuries reported. Eight motor vehicle summonses were issued.

On Jan. 2 at around 3:12 a.m.: Officers went to a residence on Johnston Circle for the report of a residential burglary and motor vehicle theft. The victim said they heard a noise and then a vehicle start up in the driveway. While en route to the residence, officers saw a white 2022 BMW X5 running, unoccupied, on Allen Road. The BMW was later determined to be taken from the residence on Johnston Circle. Upon officers’ arrival, it was determined that two other vehicles, a black 2021 Cadillac Escalade, and a black 2023 Audi RQ8, were stolen from the residence. Security footage from the residence shows four suspects, described as black men wearing ski masks, and sweatpants. The suspects forced entry into the residence through a window and stole key fobs for the BMW, Cadillac, and Audi, before fleeing the residence. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Jan. 2 at around 10:57 p.m.: An officer was approached by a resident of Rankin Avenue who wanted to report an attempted motor vehicle burglary. The resident advised the officer that 10 minutes in the past, they heard their dog barking and looked outside to observe three juvenile boys rummaging through their white 2018 Mercedes-Benz. The resident stated they confronted the juveniles, and all three juveniles fled on foot. The resident followed the juveniles to a local business on S. Finley Avenue and confronted them about going through the vehicle. The juveniles denied going through the vehicle and walked away from the resident. After speaking with the juveniles, the resident located the BTPD officer to report the incident. Officers observed broken eggshells on the victim’s driveway and a sour cream container opened and smeared around the front yard of the residence. BTPD advises all residents to contact 911 immediately to report such incidents, rather than confronting suspects themselves. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Jan. 4 at around 1:53 p.m.: An officer on patrol of Valley Road saw a black 2007 Audi driving east with an expired vehicle registration. The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle. The driver, identified as Patricia Clark, 40, of Washington Township, was determined to have two active traffic warrants for her arrest out of Washington Township. Clark was placed under arrest by BTPD officers and issued two motor vehicle summonses. Clark was later taken to Washington Township Police Department and turned over to officers there for her active warrants.

On Jan. 7 at around 8:33 p.m.: Officers went to a residence on Darren Drive for the report of a burglary and theft. The victim advised they heard a noise and received a notification that their garage door was open. The victim went to investigate and observed a man searching through their silver 2022 Volvo XC9 which was parked in the garage. The victim shouted at the suspect, who then ran from the garage into a waiting SUV. The SUV then fled towards Martinsville Road. The victim told officers that another vehicle of theirs, a blue 2015 Range Rover, appeared to have been entered by the suspect(s), as both front doors were open. It was determined that the Range Rover was not locked prior to the suspect(s) access. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

"The Bernard’s Township Police would like to continue to remind everyone to report suspicious activity observed by calling 908-766-1122. Please keep vehicles locked, without the keys in them and valuables out of sight. Please confirm all suspicious calls/emails/texts/messages requesting monetary payments with law enforcement or banking officials before sending funds," said police.

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