Moorestown Residents Disrupt Burglary In Their Home: Police

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown residents interrupted a burglary in their own home Sunday night, police said on Monday.

Homeowners on the 800 block of New Albany Road came home at about 8:50 p.m. Sunday night and surprised a burglar they found in their home, according to Moorestown police.

The burglar had forced their way into the home through a sliding glass door on the second floor, police said.

After being discovered by the homeowners, they escaped out the same door they had forced open, police said.

The burglar had rummaged through four bedrooms and stole jewelry of undetermined value, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Moorestown Police Detectives at 856-914-3092 or detectives@moorestownpd.com.

Residents who see suspicious activity are asked to call police at 856-234-8300. Anyone who sees a crime in process should call 911.

It is the second home burglary in which jewelry that has taken place in Moorestown in a week.
The other burglary took place on the 400 block of Crescent Avenue near Pine Valley Avenue sometime between 9 a.m. on Jan. 22 and 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 23. Read more here: Police Investigate Home Burglary In Moorestown

Anyone who is going away and wishes to schedule a house check can do so through the police section of the township website.

The Moorestown and Mount Laurel police departments put together the following list of burglary tips:

Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.

• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.

• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.

• Keep your garage door closed and locked.

• Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.

• Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.

• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.

• Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.

• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.

• Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

Don't Tempt a Thief:

• Lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight

• Always lock your garden sheds and other out buildings.

• Use curtains on garage and basement windows.

• Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping."

Locks…Get the Best:

• No lock, regardless of its quality, is 100% effective. Most key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.

• Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.

• When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

Targeting the Outside:

• Have adequate exterior lighting. Motion-sensitive lights are recommended for the outside perimeter.

• Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.

• Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Windows:

• Most windows can be pinned for security.

• Drill a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame - place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

Alarms:

• While no prevention method is 100% effective, an alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.

• Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.
• If you have a home alarm system, use it! — Alarm systems are only useful when you remember to activate them.
• Many individuals have alarm systems but do not arm them because it is inconvenient. Many burglars know this and will not be deterred by a window sticker or sign indicating that the home has an alarm system.

If Your Home Is Broken Into:
• Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
• Use a neighbor's phone to call police.
• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
• Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
• Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

Other precautions you should take:
• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
• Mark your valuables with your driver's license number with an engraver. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.

Prevent Car Burglaries
• Do not leave valuables in plain view:
(GPS devices, lap tops, PDA's, cell phones, MP3's, wallets, purses)
• Do not leave windows or sunroof open.
• Do not leave doors unlocked.
• Do not leave keys//and starter FOBs in the vehicle.
• Do not leave the garage door opener in plain view.
• Do not leave items with personal identifiers in plain view.
• Do move valuable items to the trunk while in public view.