5 Unlocked Vehicles Stolen, Burglarized In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Multiple stolen cars, burglarized cars and thefts of catalytic converters were reported recently in Bridgewater.

All of the stolen and burglarized cars were unlocked at the time.

Bridgewater, just like the rest of Somerset County and the state, is seeing a spike in car thefts and burglaries.

In 2021, the township reported a 27.27 percent increase over 2020 in motor vehicle(MV) burglaries and a 2.17 percent decrease in stolen cars. Read More: Car Burglaries Went Up 27 Percent In 2021 In Bridgewater

Recent car thefts and burglaries:

On Feb. 6: Someone stole a motor vehicle from the driveway of a residence on AdamsvilleRoad. The victim had left his vehicle unlocked but was still in possession of the ignition key.

On March 2 at about 6:13 a.m.: Someone stole a motor vehicle from a parking lot in front of a residence on Dartmouth Avenue. The victim had left his vehicle unlocked but was still in possession of the ignition key.

On March 6: A resident of Woodside Lane reported their vehicle had been burglarized. The victim advised that their vehicle had been parked in their driveway and was unlocked. The actor entered the vehicle and removed a Samsung Cellular and a JBL Bluetooth speaker.

On March 20: A resident of Leghorn Avenue reported their vehicle had been burglarized. The resident said their vehicle had been parked in their driveway and was unlocked. The actor entered the vehicle and removed a purse and Apple Air Pods.

On March 24 at about 1:21 a.m.: Someone stole a motor vehicle from the parking lot of Wawa at 580 Union Ave. The victim had left his vehicle parked in the parking lot unlocked, running and with the keys in the vehicle.

Catalytic Converter Thefts:

Along with car thefts, police say thefts of catalytic converters crime is rampant throughout New Jersey right now.

A catalytic converter is found in a car's undercarriage and is designed to reduce the pollutants and toxic gases the engine produces. They are made out of precious metals, including platinum, and can be re-sold at a very high mark-up on the black market.

On Feb. 23 at about 8:01 a.m.: A resident of Riddle Court reported the theft of the catalytic converter from their vehicle. The vehicle was parked in the parking lot directly in front of the resident's home.

On March 8 at about 10:12 a.m.: A resident of French Drive reported the theft of the catalytic converter from their vehicle. The vehicle was parked in the parking lot in front of the victim’s residence.

On March 14 at about 4:20 p.m.: An employee of Bill Vince’s Acura reported the theft of a catalytic converter from a vehicle located in their parking lot.

DWI, Shoplifting:

Police also reported arrests for driving while intoxicated and shoplifting recently.

On Feb. 25 at 11:52 p.m.: Christopher Martinez, 28, of North Plainfield, was arrested for DWI after being involved in a single motor vehicle crash on Route 22 East. Martinez was issued the following summonses: DWI, reckless driving, expired driver’s license, suspended driver’s license, driving on a closed roadway and careless driving. He was released with a pending court appearance.

On March 6 at about 4:36 p.m.: Jerome Trent, 27, of Rahway, was arrested for shoplifting at the Home Depot at 736 Route 202. Trent stole store merchandise valued at $1,615. A complaint summons was completed and Trent was released with a pending court appearance.

On March 19 at 2:01 a.m.: Jordan Lafever, 22, of Flemington, was arrested for DWI after being involved in a single motor vehicle crash on Foothill Road. Lafever was issued the following summonses: DWI and careless driving. He was released with a pending court appearance.

On March 29 at about 4:51 p.m.: William Nieto-Lozano, 26, of Flushing, New York, was arrested for shoplifting at Target at 200 Promenade Blvd. Nieto-Lozano stole store merchandise valued at $489.97. A complaint summons was completed and Nieto-Lozano was released with a pending court appearance.

On March 31 at about 11:29 a.m.: Regina Rosado, 49, of Newark, was arrested for shoplifting at Ulta Beauty at 352 Chimney Rock Road. Rosado stole store merchandise valued at $565. A complaint summons was completed and Rosado was released with a pending court
appearance.

On April 2 at 11:14 p.m.: A 42-year-old Newark man was arrested for DWI after a motor vehicle
stop on Route 22 west. Cross was issued the following summonses: DWI, failure to maintain lane, suspended driver’s license, and refusal to submit to a breath sample. He was released with a pending court appearance.

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