Lock Your Cars, Homes, Police Warn After Lavallette Burglary Attempt

LAVALLETTE, NJ — Lavallette police are again warning residents to lock their vehicles and lock their homes after a man tried to steal a car from a driveway in the borough, then tried to enter the home on Monday evening.

The incident, captured on surveillance video (watch it below), happened about 6:30 p.m. Monday, Lavallette Sgt. Justin Lamb said.

The video shows a man walk up to the car and try the driver's side door handle to see if it is locked, which it is. He goes back to the getaway car, which starts to pull away, but the car backs up and stops in front of the house. The man hops out and runs to the side door, and when that door doesn't open, he goes to the front door, which also was locked.

The man, who was wearing a mask and gloves, then runs back to the getaway car, which speeds off.

Witnesses called police, Lamb said, and Lavallette police officers were able to identify the car involved in the incident and tried to pull it over, but the driver took off and "began driving at excessive speeds and a pursuit was terminated," Lamb said.

"I urge all residents of Lavallette, please keep your vehicles locked and your homes and report any and all suspicious activity," he said.