Nearly $70K Worth of Items Stolen from Warren Home

Two Warren residences were broken into in the past week, with one property owner reporting the theft of items valued at nearly $70,000.

According to police, a Casale Drive home was broken into sometime between Feb. 8 and 11. Police said entry was gained through an unlocked front door. Among the items taken were baseball memorabilia, a desktop computer and flat screen monitor, silverware and cash. The homeowner estimated the value at $68,200, police said.

The second burglary, which Warren Township Police Lt. Robert Glen said investigators do not believe is connected, occurred on Stoningham Drive Sunday at about 7:50 p.m.

According to police, the entry was gained by breaking down a door and an attempt was made to disable the security alarms. However, nothing was taken, Glen said.  Glen said he believes police were able to respond quickly enough that the burglars did not have time to take anything.

"Our detectives are currently investigating and sharing information with other departments in the area," Glen said. 

He added the township has had a relatively burglary-free time period, but that the department often sees an uptick in such incidents about very four or five years as groups of burglars move through the area.

"Eventually, we'll catch them and it will stop," Glen said.

He also said there are times of the year when homeowners unwittingly make the thieves' job easier, due to changes in daylight savings time, as well as vacations. To avoid drawing the attention of burglars, Glen said to be sure to adjust light timers when clocks are turned back for daylight savings time, and use light timers to give the appearance of someone being home when leaving on vacation.

"It's very helpful to have a timer go off in one room and another turn on in a different room—it gives the appearance of someone moving around the house," he said. Having neighbors or friends pick up mail and newspapers and park a car in the driveway when on vacation can further deter break-ins. "You want to give the appearance of someone being home—these guys do not want to bump into anyone during a break-in."

That's why the majority of such crimes occur during daytime hours, when homeowners are at work or school and the house is empty, police said.

Warren residents concerned about the security of their homes can also request a home security survey by township police, who will visit the property and make recommendations aimed at deterring brewak-ins and theft.

"We alway say there's no such thing as 'crime prevention'—there's 'crime deterrance,'" Glen said. "Because if someone is going to commit a crime, they'll do it—you just don't want it to be against you."

Some residents may also want to start a neighborhood watch group, with which police also assist. Call Glen at 908-753-1419 for more information about the security surveys or neighborhood watch programs.