Burglars Break Into Hillsborough Homes With Residents Inside, Steal Cars

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Police are warning residents about an increase in thieves breaking into homes while residents are inside to steal cars.

"In recent months we have seen an escalation throughout the state in the methods car thieves are willing to use to obtain high-end vehicles. This includes entering homes to obtain vehicle key fobs," said Hillsborough Police on Thursday.

In early April, thieves entered a home on Boehm Way through an unlocked window. Once inside they found the vehicle key fob and fled the scene with the vehicle. The vehicle was later located in Union, said police.

On May 14, multiple suspects smashed the rear sliding glass door to the home, said police.

The thieves then removed several key fobs and left with two vehicles. One of the vehicles was recovered abandoned on Route 78 North and the second vehicle was recovered in Newark, said police.

There was also an attempt to enter a home on Hendrickson Court. This attempt was thwarted by the homeowner who activated a rear security light scaring off the would-be burglars, said police.

The vehicles targeted in these cases included Range Rovers, Mercedes Benz, Maserati, Audi, and Porsche.

The homes were occupied in all three cases but there was no interaction between the suspects and the residents.

"The car thieves typically operate during the early morning hours dressed in dark clothing, and facemasks and use various methods to gain access to a residence. They may also pose as package or food delivery personnel in order to survey or enter your home," said police.

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