8 Cars In 2 Weeks: Bloomfield Vehicle Theft Wave Continues

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A wave of car-related crimes continues in Bloomfield, with vehicle owners reporting eight stolen cars and several theft attempts over the past two weeks, authorities say.

The Bloomfield Police Department released the following details about the latest incidents on Wednesday:

May 1 – Officers responded to the area of Charles Street on report of an attempted motor vehicle theft. A resident tried to start her vehicle but could not get the key in the ignition. She then noticed that the steering wheel column was damaged. The resident observed three male juveniles with ski masks earlier in the evening near the vehicle and then attempted to climb over a fence. This incident is under investigation.

May 4 – Officers responded to the area of Bland Court on report of a motor vehicle theft. A resident parked his vehicle in front of his residence overnight and upon returning to it the following morning, he noticed it was missing. The vehicle, a silver 2018 Nissan Rogue, was entered into NCIC as stolen. This incident is under investigation.

May 4 – Officers responded to the area of Watchung Avenue on report of an attempted motor vehicle theft. A resident parked his vehicle, a 2019 Kia Forte, at approximately 7:30 p.m. on May 3 in front of his residence. He heard his car alarm go off at 2 a.m. and when he returned to the vehicle the following morning, he noticed the steering column was damaged. This incident is under investigation.

May 4 – Officers responded to the area of Oak Tree Lane on report of an attempted motor vehicle theft. A resident parked his vehicle, a 2013 Kia Optima, at approximately 9 p.m. on May 3 in front of his residence. While on patrol, an officer observed the rear passenger side window shattered and the ignition tampered with. The vehicle was in drive and the steering column was broken. This incident is under investigation.

May 5 – Officers responded to the area of Chester Avenue and North 17th Street on report of an attempted motor vehicle theft. The owner parked his vehicle, a 2023 Kia Forte, on the street overnight and upon returning to it the following morning, he noticed the rear passenger side window was shattered. The ignition was also tampered with and the steering column was broken. This incident is under investigation.

May 5 – Officers responded to the 200 block of Bloomfield Avenue on report of a motor vehicle theft. A resident parked his vehicle in front of his residence overnight and upon returning to it the following morning, he noticed it was missing. The vehicle, a gray 2019 Kia Optima, was entered into NCIC as stolen. This incident is under investigation.

May 7 – Officers responded to the area of Liberty Street and Broad Street on report of a motor vehicle theft. A resident parked his vehicle on the corner and left it running and unlocked while he took a photo with his mother in front of the church. As soon as he stepped away, two juvenile males exited BGR restaurant and took the vehicle. The vehicle, a silver 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, was entered into NCIC as stolen. This incident is under investigation.

The town has seen several other car thefts in the recent past. According to the Bloomfield Police Department, the following incidents were recently reported:

April 24 – “Officers responded to the area of Williamson Avenue after getting a report about an attempted motor vehicle theft. A resident had his vehicle parked behind his house by the railroad tracks for the last month since it was not working. While out in the back of the yard, the resident noticed that the front passenger side window was broken and the ignition was damaged. There was nothing missing from the vehicle. This incident is under investigation.”

April 25 – “Officers responded to 313 Franklin Street (Dunkin’ Donuts) after getting a report about a motor vehicle theft. The complainant left his vehicle running and unlocked in the parking lot while he went inside Dunkin’ Donuts. While he was inside, he observed an individual step out of a vehicle and enter his vehicle and drive out of the lot. The vehicle, a white 2022 Toyota Rav4, was entered into NCIC as stolen. This incident is under investigation.”

April 28 – “Officers responded to 425 Bloomfield Avenue (Bloomfield BMW) after getting a report about a motor vehicle theft. The complainant noticed that a vehicle he was in the process of selling was no longer in the lot. After reviewing the security cameras, it was determined that an individual dressed in all black exited a black, four-door sedan and entered the lot. The suspect then gained entry into the vehicle and drove off the lot. The vehicle, a black 2016 Jeep SRT Grand Cherokee, was entered into NCIC as stolen. This incident is under investigation.”

April 29 – “A complainant responded to Bloomfield Police Headquarters to report a motor vehicle theft from the 100-block of Willard Avenue. The complainant parked his vehicle on the street at approximately 7:30 p.m. and when he returned to it at midnight, he noticed it was missing. The vehicle, a black 2013 Hyundai Elantra, was entered into NCIC as stolen. This incident is under investigation.”

April 29 – “Officers responded to the area of Golf Road on report of a motor vehicle theft. A resident parked his vehicle on the street on the evening of April 28 and when he returned to it the following morning, it was missing. The resident left his doors unlocked and the spare key fob in the vehicle. The vehicle, a blue 2023 Genesis GV8, was entered into NCIC as stolen. This incident is under investigation.”

April 30 – “Officers responded to the area of Monroe Place on report of a motor vehicle theft. A resident was notified by the Newark Police Department that his vehicle was recovered and towed in their town earlier that day. The resident last saw his vehicle on Monroe Street on April 28 at approximately 7 p.m. The vehicle, a white 2019 Hyundai Tucson, was entered into NCIC as stolen. This incident is under investigation.”

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