Smash-And-Grab Car Burglars Operating In NJ, Toms River Police Warn

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River police are urging residents to be alert and not leave items visible in their vehicles because of an increase in smash-and-grab car burglaries.

Toms River police, in a post on the department's Facebook page, said a group known as the "Felony Lane Gang" has been targeting vehicles in parking areas of public parks, gyms and recreation areas all over the state.

Police said there are a few things to know about the group and its activities:

• They are often driving rental cars with out-of-state plates.
• This group originates from Florida and drives up the Eastern seaboard to commit these burglaries.
• They are seeking purses in the car hoping to find bank checks, debit cards, and driver licenses. They then forge and pass the checks at various banks using the stolen IDs.
• They will drop one person off in the lot on foot, and that person uses a spring-loaded center punch to pop the vehicle's side windows.
• The drop vehicle will often remain nearby and watch out in case law enforcement arrives.
• They are very fast, usually in and out of a parking lot in only a few minutes.
• They have been known in the past to be armed, so if people see this activity should report it and not approach these people.

Police are urging people to not leave valuables in their vehicles, especially in plain sight.