Rising Car Thefts In Toms River Tied To Key Fobs Left In Them: PD

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Lock your vehicle. Take your key fob inside.

It's the simple message from Toms River police and from the Ocean County Sheriff's Office as the area has been seeing an increase in thefts of expensive vehicles from local homes.

"There have been six high-end vehicles stolen in Toms River since Christmas," Toms River police said. "All of them unlocked with the key fob inside the vehicle."

"The entire tri-state area has been targeted by an organized vehicle theft ring," Toms River police said in a Facebook post. "New Jersey alone has had over 433 vehicles stolen in 2022. Most in broad daylight, all unlocked.

"Thieves know the markers of an unlocked vehicle," Toms River police said.

The sheriff's office urged people also to make sure they do not leave personal belongings in their vehicles, which can entice thieves to break into a vehicle.

"Do not be the victim of a preventable crime," Toms River police said.

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