Even Without Fobs Being Left In Luxury Cars, Thieves Swiped Them In Millburn

MILLBURN, NJ — As law enforcement officers continue to remind people not to leave their key fobs in their cars or leave cars unlocked, thieves have been stealing cars anyway — by getting into drivers' homes and swiping the keys.

The Millburn police said that on May 13, at 8:30 a.m., Millburn Police Officer Kelly responded to a Shelly Road residence for a report of a theft of an Audi S4 from a garage. Someone was able to gain entry to the kitchen and take the car keys off the counter, then stole the Audi, police said.

Two days later, at 05:27 a.m., Millburn Police Officer Frisch responded to a Fairfield Drive residence for a report of motor vehicle theft. The investigation revealed that a burglary to the home occurred earlier that morning, police said. Someone gained entry to a vehicle in the driveway, and found a garage door opener in it. Then, they entered the home, got keys to the person's two vehicles, and stole both a 2020 BMW 300i and a 2017 Porsche 911 from the garage.

The vehicles were later recovered in Newark.

A similar situation occurred in Livingston two weeks ago, in which a thief stole keys from inside a residence, then used them to steal the Mercedes Benz G63.

Other Car Thefts

Also on May 15, someone stole a car that had a fob left inside. At 7 p.m., Millburn Police Officer Matos responded to a Grosvenor Road residence to take a report for a motor vehicle theft. The resident reported that his 2020 BMW X7 was stolen from his driveway at 6:50 p.m. He said he observed the vehicle being followed by a white vehicle at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle was later recovered in Newark.

On Friday, May 20, Police Officers Bifano and Kerwien responded to the area of White Oak Ridge Rd at 6:17 a.m. on a report of a stolen motor vehicle (Mercedes Benz C30) in the area. The owner was a Woodbridge resident whose car had been stolen. He said an app located it travelling on South Orange Avenue. Officers found and tried to stop the car, but the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed. Officers pursued the vehicle into South Orange and ceased their pursuit.

The incident remains under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.