Multiple Unlocked Cars Ransacked In Bridgewater, Raritan

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Multiple vehicles in Bridgewater Township and Raritan Borough were broken into and ransacked over the weekend, police report.

Between Friday night and Saturday early morning, multiple vehicles in the Bradley Gardens section of town were burglarized specifically on Oak Street, Leghorn Avenue, and Pine Street, said Bridgewater Police Lt. Frederick J. Brittain III.

Raritan also reported burglaries on the southwest area of the Borough bordering Bradley Gardens, said Raritan Borough Police Department.

"Please don’t let the term 'break in' fool you. All of these vehicles were left UNLOCKED," said Bridgewater Police Department - NJ.

Raritan Police noted that an arrest has been made for the theft of a motor vehicle from the same neighborhood last week.

"There is one common denominator with all of these thefts….all of the cars have been unlocked. Every. Single. One. Lock your vehicle!" said Raritan Police.

Bridgewater Police added that criminals who are ransacking vehicles are looking for a quick and quiet opportunity. They are not looking to smash a window and draw unnecessary attention in the quiet of the night. An unlocked door is exactly what they’re searching for.

"We implore you, please LOCK all windows and doors to both your vehicles and homes. The first step in protecting yourself from becoming a victim of a property crime is practicing effective home security measures," said Bridgewater Police.

Bridgewater Police offered the following safety tips for residents:

• Lock all windows and doors. Even if you only plan on being inside for a short time, lock the car behind you.
• Do NOT leave your key fob inside the vehicle. If you leave the vehicle, so does the key fob.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Handbags, briefcases, computers, or even branded shopping bags from a recent purchase. Conceal these items in the trunk of your vehicle or bring them inside.
• Lights! Keep outside lights on to deter any nefarious activity. Motion sensor lights above a driveway are an excellent investment.
• If you see something or hear something, please call us without delay so we can respond to the area with the goal of apprehending a suspect still on location.

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