By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
In the wake of a string of stolen cars and car burglaries, the Princeton Police Department is advising residents to lock their cars and take the keys or fobs inside the house with them.
Three cars were reported stolen from their owners’ driveways on Finley Road and Allison Road between midnight and 7 a.m. July 10, police said. The cars had been left unlocked, with the keys inside them.
The three stolen cars – a 2017 Toyota Highlander, a 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML2, and a 2009 Audi A6 – have been recovered in Essex County. Princeton Police Department detectives are going over the recovered cars for evidence, and will return them to their owners.
In addition to the three stolen cars, five cars were burglarized – but not stolen – overnight between July 9 and July 10, police said. All of the cars had been left unlocked in their owners’ driveway.
An assortment of items valued at $455 were taken from a vehicle on Hunter Road, while a total of $40 was taken from two cars parked on Coniston Court.
A Mount Lucas Road resident reported that two cars parked in the driveway were burglarized, and that a bag containing clothing and miscellaneous items was taken. The bag was later recovered.
All of the incidents are under investigation, and the Princeton Police Department has increased patrols.
The Montgomery Township Police Department is investigating a rash of stolen cars and car burglaries, and Princeton police said it is possible that the incidents may be related.
Princeton Police Department detectives are working together with the Montgomery Township Police Department and other agencies to solve the crimes, police said.
A common practice for thieves is to drive through neighborhoods and walk up to parked cars and check to see if they are unlocked by pulling on the door handle, police said. If the car is locked, they will move on until they find one that is unlocked.
Thieves do not want to break a car window because it makes noise and they are likely to get caught, police said. That’s why they look for cars that have been left unlocked.
Police can and will act on suspicious activity if they see it or if it is reported to them. But if someone drives up and approaches a car, the owner’s last line of defense is a properly secured – locked – car, police said.
Meanwhile, the Princeton Police Department is asking anyone who may have heard or observed something around the time of the three car thefts and five car burglaries to call the Police Department at 609-921-2100.
