By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Two Newark teenagers, ages 16 and 17, have been charged in connection with a rash of stolen cars and car break-ins that occurred in June and July, according to the Montgomery Township Police Department.
The teenagers were involved in the theft of six cars – all taken from homes in the area of Routes 206 and 601 – between June 25 and July 3, police said. In each case, the car had been left unlocked with the key inside the car.
Police also investigated several car break-ins that occurred in the same time frame. In those cases, the cars had been left unlocked and valuable items had been left in plain sight, police said.
Montgomery police Detective Sergeant Brian Hofacker and Detective William Wilkes coordinated and led a multi-jurisdictional investigation into the stolen cars and car break-ins, which resulted in the recovery of every stolen car within a day or two of its theft.
All of the stolen cars from Montgomery Township were recovered in Newark. Police also recovered many other cars that had been reported stolen from other towns throughout the area.
To avoid becoming the victim of a car break-in or car theft, police advise rolling up the car windows and locking the car doors. Would-be burglars look for unlocked cars, and if a car is locked, they will move on to the next one.
Police also suggest turning off the car engine. Never leave the car unattended and with the engine running. Always remove the keys from the ignition and take them with you.
Valuable items should not be left in plain sight in the car. Even loose change in a cup holder can attract a thief’s attention, police said. If it is necessary to leave something valuable inside the car, hide it in the trunk or under the seat.
Police also advise taking checkbooks and driver’s licenses inside the house. Personal documents that are left in the car can be used for identity theft purposes.
And it is better to park the car in the driveway or in the garage. Avoid leaving the car parked in the street, police said.
Any suspicious circumstances should be reported immediately to the Montgomery Township Police Department at 908-359-3222.
