Be Careful While Black Friday Shopping

Stay smart and be aware of your surroundings when you hit local malls this Black Friday.

Police report multiple thefts and attempted car break-ins in mall parking lots and in the area along Rt. 1.

On Nov. 18, police arrested a man for two attempted carjackings and robberies in Menlo Park. The incidents occurred on Ford Avenue, Jefferson Street and Isabelle Street in Menlo Park. In one of the attempted carjackings, the suspect attacked a driver sitting in his car, and tried to pull him out of the vehicle, according to reports. When the suspect was arrested, he was found with a box cutter, ski mask, leather gloves, screwdriver and jewelry.

On Nov. 13, a woman reported that her wallet was taken right out of her purse while she shopped at the Costco off Rt. 1 in North Brunswick. A credit card that was in her wallet was later used in Target to buy $4,015 worth of items, police said.

Also on Nov. 13, a woman reported her car was broken into while she parked it in front of Work Out World on Rt. 1. The front driver’s side window of her 2015 Nissan Murano was shattered and her purse, which she left on the driver’s seat, was missing. She said her purse, which also had some jewelry in it, was valued at $1,900.

Stock image.