JACKSON – The Jackson Police Department, in response to a recent rash of thefts from motor vehicles, is once again reminding individuals not to leave valuables in vehicles and to lock their vehicles when they are parked.
In a social media post, police wrote, “Do not leave valuable electronics, large sums of cash, wallets containing credit cards and personal information, and most importantly, key fobs, in vehicles when parked. It only takes moments for thieves to take advantage of the opportunity of an unlocked vehicle to steal your belongings.”
Police reported the following incidents:
• On Dec. 3 at 3:17 p.m., officers responded to the Pine Barrens Golf Club, South Hope Chapel Road. A vehicle owner reported his unlocked 2017 Chevrolet had been entered by unknown individuals and that cash in excess of $200, as well as credit card and debit cards, were stolen.
• On Dec. 3 at 11:55 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Wilson Boulevard to investigate a report that a 2017 Ford Expedition had been stolen from the residence. While en route to Wilson Boulevard, the officers located the Expedition parked in a wooded area on Don Connor Boulevard. Police said it appeared the vehicle had been ransacked. An investigation at the Wilson Boulevard residence revealed that a 2018 Jeep and a 2018 Honda had been entered by unknown individuals. All three vehicles were reported to have been parked with the keys left in them.
• On Dec. 4 at 9:11 a.m., officers responded to a residence on Harding Court to investigate a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle. The owner said unknown individuals entered his unlocked 2020 GMC and went through the center console and the glovebox. No items were immediately reported stolen from the vehicle.
• On Dec. 4 at 9:55 a.m., officers responded to a residence on Adams Way to investigate a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle. The owner reported that unknown individuals had entered his unlocked 2016 Ford and stole $20 in change and paperwork relating to a credit card.
• On Dec. 4 at 3:40 p.m., a resident of Toms River reported his vehicle had been entered on Dec. 3 while it was parked at the Pine Barrens Golf Club. The owner said unknown individuals entered his 2017 Honda, which he thought he had locked. There was no damage from forced entry. A wallet containing $200 cash was stolen from the vehicle and credit cards in the wallet were used at several locations for purchases that totaled more than $6,800.
• On Dec. 4 at 8:47 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Reagan Drive. The person who called police said unknown individuals had entered a 2014 Toyota through an unlocked passenger door and went through the vehicle. No items were immediately reported stolen.
• On Dec. 5 at 3:43 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Adams Way. The person who called police said unknown individuals had entered a 2018 BMW and went through the contents of the vehicle. The individual could not recall if the vehicle was locked, but there was no damage from forced entry. No items were immediately reported stolen.
Police said that “in addition to motor vehicle burglaries, Jackson, along with surrounding areas, has also experienced several thefts where catalytic converters have been cut off parked vehicles. We ask that anyone observing any suspicious activity please contact police headquarters at 732-928-1111 so officers can respond to investigate.”