Police Warn Residents To Protect Vehicles As Restrictions Ease

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ – As restrictions begin to ease under Stage 2 of New Jersey’s ‘Road Back’ plan, the Morris County Sheriff’s Department is reminding motorists to always remove valuables and lock their vehicles at home and while venturing out.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, who oversees a department that is part of an Auto Theft Task Force that was created this spring, said in a news release that burglaries of vehicles in the county have decreased by 43 percent in the first six months of the year from the same time period in 2019.

So far this year, 79 vehicle break-ins have been reported, including three recent “smash and grab” crimes, Gannon reported. Over the first six months of 2019, there were 138 reported car burglaries in a year when there were 233 car burglaries and 215 vehicle thefts reported.

While vehicle burglaries currently are down, thefts of actual vehicles in the county between January 1 and June 30 have not decreased. There have been 97 reported vehicle thefts so far in 2020, compared to 98 over the first six months of 2019, Gannon said.

The multi-agency auto theft/anti-crime task force was created to combat vehicle burglaries and thefts, along with other issues affecting Morris County. The initiative was conceptualized by Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano and led to a partnership between the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Morris County Police Chiefs’ Association, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force, in coordination with various law enforcement agencies.

The Task Force has found that in many cases, stolen vehicles have been left unlocked by the owner with a key fob left in the car, allowing a thief to immediately drive it away. In some incidents in Morris County, suspects have entered victims’ homes by using garage door openers found in unlocked vehicles. Once inside the homes, thieves have been able to locate key fobs and steal cars.

Unlocked vehicles that do not have a key fob inside are also being searched for valuables. In some cases, car burglars will brazenly smash windows of vehicles parked at gyms, parks, and day care centers and grab purses, wallets and other valuables left inside. Bank and credit cards stolen from inside these vehicles are being used in multiple locations, compromising victims’ finances.

“By taking some simple actions, vehicle owners have real power to protect themselves and their property and discourage thieves,” Gannon said in the release. “We’re in Stage 2 of the Road Back in New Jersey and people are naturally anxious to leave home to gather, worship, socialize and exercise. But don’t give thieves opportunities to steal your property by leaving doors unlocked or valuables visible on car seats.”

Chester Police Chief Thomas Williver, the president of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association, echoed Gannon’s warning.

"The citizens of Morris County have faced a truly challenging time over the last several months and have persevered,” Williver said in the news release, adding that local residents need to be more vigilant as restrictions ease.

Local law enforcement agencies advise residents to take the following steps to deter thieves:

• Never leave vehicles unlocked or idling unattended, even if you are dashing into a home or store.
• Never leave a key fob in a vehicle.
• Neighbors should watch out for neighbors. Call your neighbor if you see that their car is unlocked or valuables are visible inside the vehicle.
• Report any suspicious activity or person.
• Call 911 to report crimes in progress.