BY ANDREA OLIVIO
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — Police are investigating the theft of 36 pairs of Xenon head lamps from an Acura dealership on Route 18.
The thefts took place around 9 p.m. Feb. 6. In addition to the headlights, suspects stole a brown Acura Integra from the dealership and damaged another vehicle while attempting to steal it, according to police.
A dealership security guard observed the suspects and called police, but they fled in a silver Subaru RSX and the stolen Acura, police said.
The estimated value of the theft and damage is $200,000.
The theft of Xenon head lamps has become common in the region, with several towns experiencing similar strings of thefts.
Neighboring Old Bridge has seen continued reports of head lamp thefts in recent months. In December, police received reports of numerous Xenon head lamp thefts from commuter parking lots and outside businesses and residences. And on Jan. 14, thieves stole head lamps from some 21 cars in Old Bridge alone, mostly in two Route 9 park-and-ride lots.
East Brunswick Police Lt. Russell MacArthur noted that the thefts are somewhat common because of the high cost of these types of headlights. It is generally believed that thieves are reselling the lights for a significant amount of money.
“[The lights are] a couple thousand [dollars] each, I think there’s a huge market to resell,” MacArthur said.
MacArthur said the lights have serial numbers, so when they get out in the market they could eventually be traced.
The thefts are taking place in parking lots and dealerships that are generally unguarded, police said.
In an effort to crack down on the thefts, East Brunswick police have added patrols at municipal lots as well as at car dealerships. Some dealerships, such as Open Road Acura, also employ their own security guards.
Removing the lights frequently causes damage to the vehicle, since the thieves may break into the car or pry open the hood to get to the back of the light. Old Bridge police have reported costly damage to vehicles during the head lamp thefts. East Brunswick police said one vehicle at Open Road Acura was damaged while its head lamps were being taken.
To protect cars from theft, MacArthur suggested that people park their cars in well-lit areas and possibly even back into parking spaces so suspects will be in plain view during the theft.