Mercedes SUV Stolen From Holmdel Driveway

HOLMDEL, NJ — Yet another high-end SUV has been stolen from a Holmdel driveway. And the latest car theft happened just this morning:

At approximately 7:35 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, Holmdel police received a call from a resident on Bordeaux Lane reporting a stolen motor vehicle. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a Mercedes-Benz SUV was stolen from the driveway overnight. The vehicle was left unlocked, and the key fob was left inside.

So far this September and October, a string of wealthy suburban New Jersey towns have been hit by more than a dozen car thefts. Cars have been stolen in Chatham, Warren, Clark, Woodbridge, Middletown, Holmdel, Colts Neck and Spring Lake — often right out of the owner's driveway. This is now the fifth car theft in Holmdel and the thirteenth overall in the past 30 days or so. (Note: Number likely higher because Middletown did not report exactly how many car thefts they've had.) Related: 8 Suburban NJ Towns Targeted In Luxury Car Thefts

All the cars stolen are high-end vehicles, such as BMWs, Range Rovers and Audis, and many are SUVs. Nearly all the cars had been left unlocked with the key fob inside.

"In all of the stolen vehicles the keyless transmitter fob had been left in the vehicle," Chatham police said. "Criminals are now using a new mobile app to find out whether you left your key fob in your vehicle. The app allows them to locate transmitter fobs up to 400 feet away."

Lock your car at night and take your key fob inside! All the recent incidents:

Thursday, Oct. 19, Holmdel: An unlocked Mercedes-Benz SUV with the key fob left inside was stolen from a driveway on Bordeaux Lane .

Thursday, Oct. 12, Chatham: Two high-end cars were stolen Thursday, one in Chatham borough and another in Chatham Township. One homeowner told police he was awoken at 6:45 a.m. to the sound of his BMW starting. He looked out the window to see the car speeding away. The car had been left unlocked with the key fob inside. That same morning, a 2017 Audi was stolen from a driveway in Chatham Township.

Wednesday, Oct. 11, Clark: At about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, a resident was sitting in his 2012 BMW in the driveway of his Lake Avenue home when two men approached with handguns. The victim was unharmed and the BMW was recovered in Newark later that same day.

Tuesday, Oct. 10, Holmdel: A Range Rover was stolen overnight from a driveway on Crape Myrtle Drive. The Range Rover had been left unlocked, with the key fob inside. Several other unlocked cars on nearby streets (Crimson King Drive, Cindy Court and Tranquility Court) were broken into, but the Range Rover was the only one stolen.

Sunday, Oct. 8, Warren: An unlocked 2015 Porsche was stolen from the driveway of a home on Old Smalleytown Road. Video surveillance showed the car was taken at approximately 2:20 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 7, Spring Lake: In the early morning hours, a Porsche Panamera and a Maserati were stolen from two homes in Spring Lake. The cars were sitting unlocked in the driveways, with the keys inside.

Saturday, Oct. 7, Woodbridge: As she got out her Range Rover at about 6:30 Saturday night, a woman was approached by two men in the parking lot of the Hobby Lobby on Rt. 1. One of the men showed a gun and demanded her keys. The SUV was recovered a few days later in Newark.

September, Middletown: Middletown police confirmed that they, too, have had incidents of high-end car theft, but did not release dates or specific locations.

Friday Sept. 29, Colts Neck: Sometime late Friday night a resident of Country Meadow Drive in Colts Neck reported that their white 2017 Jaguar XJ was stolen from their driveway. The vehicle had been left unlocked with the key fob inside.

Monday, Sept. 25, Holmdel: A resident reported their 2017 Audi was stolen from their driveway on Fox Hunt Road sometime overnight.

Thursday, Sept. 14, Holmdel: Two unlocked cars were stolen from a singular driveway off Seven Oaks Circle.

The Holmdel Police Department is asking that anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Detective Sergeant Martinez at 732-946-9690 ext. 1745.

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