South Orange Sees Rash Of Car Break-Ins: Police

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange saw a rash of alleged vehicle break-ins during the past week, prompting police to issue a Monday advisory to local car owners.

“Once again, we'd like to remind residents the importance of keeping all vehicle doors, residential doors/windows locked and secure at all times,” South Orange police stated. “The overwhelming majority of vehicles that are burglarized begin with entry through an unlocked door.”

South Orange police continued:

“Please safeguard your property and remove the opportunity by locking doors and by not leaving any valuables inside vehicles, especially in plain sight. Equally important, please contact the police department immediately upon seeing any suspicious or suspected suspicious activity.”

Keep updated on local public safety alerts at the Patch South Orange Facebook page.

According to police, the following incidents were recently reported in the township:

• A Fairview Avenue resident reported on Saturday, April 22, that between 6 p.m. on Wednesday April 19, and 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, an unknown actor(s) entered her vehicle and removed a carry-on bag that contained two laptop computers and several business papers.
• A Berkeley Avenue resident reported that between 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, and 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, an unknown actor(s) entered two unlocked vehicles, which were parked in the driveway and rummaged through the interior. Nothing appears to have been taken.
• A Woodland Place resident reported that between 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, and 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, an unknown actor(s) entered her unlocked vehicle, which was parked in the driveway and rummaged through the interior. Nothing appears to have been taken.
• Several residents of Highland Road, Melrose Place and Mayhew Drive reported that approximately seven vehicles were broken during the overnight hours on Sunday night, April 23, into Monday morning, April 24. The unknown actors rummaged through each vehicle and proceeds included some cash, loose change and various identification papers. None of the residents reported any damage to their vehicles as all appeared to have been unlocked at the time. At 4:06 a.m., one resident stated he was alerted by a motion sensor light and observed two unknown actors in his driveway and inside his vehicle. The resident described the first actor (in driveway) as a tall, thin male, wearing a ski mask, dark clothing and carrying a backpack and the second (in vehicle) as a male wearing all-dark clothing. The actors fled the scene once they were alerted to the resident's presence and a search for the actors proved negative. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incidents.