South Brunswick Police caution residents about recent increase in car burglaries

 

South Brunswick Police say there has been a recent increase in car burglaries in some parts of the township.

Thieves are targeting cars with unlocked doors. Some car windows have been smashed after valuable property was left in the open. Nine cars were entered since October. The car burglaries occurred during the overnight hours in residential areas in Kendall Park and Dayton.  The suspect stole purses, change, wallets, gift cards, credit cards, and personal documents.

Police are still investigating the recent car burglaries. The following are tips from police:

Lock your doors – While this may sound like common sense, most motor vehicle burglaries occur to unlocked vehicles. Even if your vehicle is parked in your driveway, the contents within it are still open for the taking. Simply locking the doors will deter those who might just be looking for an easy target.

Keep your car tidy – Any personal items that are visible from the outside, even an empty shopping bag, could be seen as a valuable or a carrier of valuables.

Conceal all of your property – Don’t leave any bait out for thieves; put your electronics, purses, wallets, backpacks, and accessories well out of sight.  Better yet, bring them in with you.

Close windows and sunroofs – No, it’s not just because thieves might reach in through the gap and open your locks with a coat hanger. Open windows will disable the pressure sensor in some car alarms, leaving the vehicle more vulnerable to break-ins and potentially giving thieves more time before the alarm sounds.

Park for visibility – Park in a busy, well-lit area, and avoid being hidden by larger vehicles, fences, or foliage. Except for the most brazen thieves, when a car is visible, chances are greater that someone might see a crime in progress, the lower the chances are that the potential thief will attempt it.

If you see a suspicious person or vehicle in your neighborhood call the South Brunswick Police Department non-emergency number (732-329-4646) to have it investigated.