Middletown, Red Bank, Rumson All Experiencing Car Thefts

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This corner of Monmouth County has been hit by car thieves in the past week, the police departments of Middletown, Rumson, Red Bank and Fair Haven all reported over the weekend.

Here is a breakdown of all the most recent incidents:

Middletown: Several attempts to steal cars Friday night into Saturday, with one successful. One car was stolen from the Lincroft section, but two car theft suspects have been taken into custody. Please lock your cars, bring your keys and valuables inside and lock your garage doors no matter the time of day. "We have had several attempts to steal vehicles within the last 24 hours," Middletown Police posted on Facebook. "Please be great neighbors and contact the police department at (732)615-2100 if you see any suspicious activity or suspicious vehicles in your neighborhood."

"In response to the burglary and motor vehicle theft that occurred last night in Lincroft, the Middletown Police Department has increased its patrol presence across town and that will continue for the time being," said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry Saturday. "I have been in close contact with Chief Weber throughout the night and into today as we work to prevent this from ever happening again."

Red Bank: A Shrewsbury man had his car stolen out of a parking spot along White Street in Red Bank last Tuesday afternoon, April 19, said Red Bank Police Capt. Michael Frazee. The car owner parked his 2021 Porsche Cayenne SUV in an angled parking space on White Street and left it running while he went into a nearby store. Within a short period of time, he said observed an unknown man dressed entirely in black exit a black SUV and enter his vehicle, Frazee said. He actually attempted to stop the theft by blocking the vehicle's path, but fell to the ground as the car was backing out of the parking space, police said. He was uninjured, but the unknown male driver got away with the Porsche Cayenne.

Rumson: "Motor vehicle thefts have steadily increased throughout Monmouth County and Rumson as of late," said Rumson Police Saturday. "These actors have become more brazen in their efforts. We ask that our residents continue to lock and secure any and all vehicles and exterior doors. We cannot stress enough to not engage these actors as they have been known to carry weapons. Please remain vigilant."

Fair Haven: "Many Fair Haven residents are aware of the alarming number of car thefts in our area, which are occurring at all hours of the day and night," Police Chief McGovern said Tuesday, the same day the car was stolen in Red Bank.

"Unfortunately, these criminals have been empowered knowing that they face little consequence for their actions due to dangerous directives put in place by the Attorney General’s Office, leaving our police officers handcuffed to their policies," Middletown Mayor Perry also wrote on Facebook Saturday. "Middletown is a safe town and we will do everything necessary to continue to bring our residents that continued security."

Perry did not return Patch's two calls to explain his Facebook post, but what he's likely referring to is this updated Attorney General policy, which went into effect in late 2021 and limits police car chases to only the most serious of crimes. This is part of an overhaul led by Gov. Murphy to reduce the use of force by police.

Under the new policy, a police officer may only pursue a car when he or she thinks a suspect has committed a major crime, such as murder, vehicular homicide or kidnapping. Law enforcement is no longer permitted to continue a car chase because of the suspect's speed or evasive driving.

"It prohibits a pursuit for a stolen vehicle," said Secaucus (Hudson County) Police Chief Dennis Miller. "What this reform has done is just increased the criminal's ability to drive away."

"Let us do our jobs and catch these people," said another police captain, this time in Middlesex County, who did not want to give his name. "We have encountered car thieves in our town, only to let them drive away because we cannot pursue them."

But the Attorney General maintains that high-speed police car chases are dangerous, and can put police officers, plus innocent drivers, on crowded New Jersey roads at risk.

'Serious' Spike In NJ Car Thefts, AG Warns (March 2022)

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