ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—Police in Englewood Cliffs remind residents to lock their cars and take their key fobs inside at night as car thieves continue to target the area.
“All they do is walk up to the car; they pull on the doors,” said Detective Lt. Keith Wicker. “Once they see the key fob is in the house, then they move onto the next car, the next car, the next car.”
The side-view mirrors of luxury cars will fold in when locked—leaving a tell-tale sign if it’s left open, Wicker said.
“The bad guys know that. So they drive around looking for the mirrors, and they can tell,” Wicker said.
The public call to take precautions came as an Ash Street resident’s Mercedes-Benz was targeted twice in one week, and a luxury Maybach was stolen July 30 in an open investigation.
Police are working to recover the vehicle stolen July 30, Wicker said, declining to disclose more details about that investigation.
Capt. Brian Murphy said suspects were arrested in connection to the July 22 and July 24 incidents on Ash Street.
Fort Lee Man Tried Calling an Uber
An Ash Street resident called police July 22 after observing a man on his driveway rummaging through his vehicle, Murphy said. Responding officers did not immediate locate the suspect, Murphy said.
That’s when Lt. James Tracy, who was on patrol, parked and exited his car, then stood in some shadows, Murphy said. Tracy soon observed a man coming up the roadway toward him, moving slowly and pausing several times, Murphy said.
A car pulled came up next the man, who began waving at the car and trying to get in it, Murphy said. Tracy then ran towards the man and commanded him to get on the ground, he said.
The man—who matched a description of the suspect—was placed under arrest, read his Miranda rights, and taken to police headquarters, said Murphy. The car that had pulled up was an Uber that the defendant had ordered on his phone, Murphy said.
Murphy declined to name the suspect, other than that he is 23 years old and lives in Fort Lee. The suspect was charged with burglary (third degree) and taken Bergen County Jail, he said.
Two Days Later: Three Men From Newark
The same Ash Street resident called 911 July 24 after seeing a male wearing a beige or light colored hooded sweatshirt attempting to gain entry to his Mercedes-Benz, Murphy said.
When the man could not gain entry to the car—which was locked—he jumped into a nearby older-model Chrysler 300, occupied by a driver and a passenger, and they took off, Murphy said.
“The reason why this car wasn’t stolen was because the key fobs were in the house,” Murphy said.
Borough police alerted all area law enforcement to be on the lookout for the Chrysler, and Fort Lee Police stopped a vehicle matching its description with three occupants a short time later, Murphy said.
The Ash Street resident, accompanied by an officer, identified the suspect as the man who had attempted to enter his car, and all three men occupying the Chrysler were arrested, Murphy said.
A 30-year-old Newark man believed to be the individual who attempted to gain access to the resident’s car was charged with criminal intent to steal a vehicle, Murphy said.
The other two men, ages 44 and 28, both from Newark, were charged with a conspiracy to assist the other defendant’s attempt to steal the car, Murphy said, declining to name the suspects.
Northern Valley Press has been reporting on car thefts in the region, which Wicker said is a big problem for communities across the state. Closter Police Department sources told the newspaper that two cars were recently stolen in its jurisdiction.
Both Wicker and Murphy said they hope these incidents will serve as a reminder for residents to use precaution and lock their vehicles.
These law enforcement tips may help protect your car from theft:
- Don’t leave your car unlocked;
- Never leave your car running while unattended or unlocked;
- Do not leave a spare key fob near your vehicle;
- Do not leave your key fob in your vehicle;
- Never leave your windows open when you’re away from the car;
- Install an audible alarm system and a visible anti-theft device;
- Consider installing a GPS tracking system in your vehicle;
- Don’t leave valuable personal property in your car;
- Install a camera system in your driveway that records; and
- Always report suspicious activity. If you see something, say something.