Car Stolen From Wayne Home's Garage As Vehicle Thefts See 'Significant' Increase: Police

WAYNE, NJ — Some "brazen car thieves" entered a Wayne home's open garage and stole a vehicle Wednesday, according to police. Like many New Jersey communities, the township has seen a "significant increase" in stolen motor vehicles, according to Chief Jack McNiff.

Most of the theft occurs because owners — often unintentionally — leave their car doors unlocked with the key FOBs inside, McNiff said. Thieves have targeted certain areas within the township, stealing several residents' vehicles within minutes, according to the police chief.

"As a police department, we cannot combat this epidemic without your help," McNiff said Thursday.

McNiff urged residents to lock their vehicles, remove key FOBs and take out any valuables or personal identification when leaving cars unattended. Talk to family and friends about the problem, and "become a part of the solution," he said.

"While some of these vehicles are eventually recovered, others are often utilized to commit more violent crimes elsewhere," McNiff said. "Our police department has made numerous arrests through investigative means and by patrol officers apprehending suspects in the act."

State data reported 14,320 stolen cars in 2021 in New Jersey — a 22 percent increase over the prior year. Read more: 'Serious' Spike In NJ Car Thefts, AG Warns

To combat the crime surge, Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin said he is adding more detectives and prosecutors to the state's Auto Theft Task Force, as well as bringing on board additional police departments from suburban towns across the state.

Police officers from Westfield, Warren, Bernards, Middletown and Paramus are already part of the Auto Theft Task Force. These suburban towns typically see a high number of car thefts every year.

With reporting from Carly Baldwin/Patch

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