Rash of car burglaries plaguing residents

Unlocked vehicles targeted

By:Alec Moore
   The loose-change thief has struck again.
   According to police, a total of 47 unlocked vehicles parked at apartment complexes and townhouse developments in the area of Farm Road and Triangle Road, South Triangle Road and New Amwell Road have been stripped of loose change, compact disks and other miscellaneous items frequently left in vehicles.
   The thefts occurred between Feb. 10 and Feb. 24. Police said that each of the thefts occurred during late night and early morning hours prior to the report of each burglary.
   Vehicle burglaries such as the ones in question are not uncommon but the number of vehicles targeted in this case lead police to conclude that the thefts are by no means a random occurrence.
   "Given the relatively short time frame this is a very high number of thefts," said Hillsborough Police Lt. Paul Kaminsky. "We don’t believe these thefts were random occurrences."
   Lt. Kaminsky pointed out that all 47 vehicles in question had one thing in common at the time they were burglarized — they were all unlocked. "No forced entry was used to gain access to any of these vehicles," he said, adding that no car stereos appear to have been tampered with. Lt. Kaminsky said that while the case is under investigation and the perpetrators of the thefts are being sought, all residents are strongly urged to park in well lit areas, remove all valuables from their vehicle and, above all, to make sure their vehicle is locked.
   In July of 2001 several residents in the area of Sunnyside Lane and Anne Street then reported that their vehicles — which were also unlocked — had been robbed of looses change, compact disks and various other sundry items. Similar thefts have been reported since, but not to the extent in this recent string of burglaries.
   Police ask anyone with information on any of the vehicle burglaries to contact their investigative division at 369-4323.