TENAFLY, N.J.—The Tenafly Police Department investigated several car thefts and car burglaries between July 30 and Aug. 1, Capt. Michael deMoncada told Northern Valley Press.
“We, once again, urge our residents to remain vigilant and avoid complacency by locking all vehicles and removing any keys and key fobs each and every time you park your car,”deMoncada said.
Police provided the following descriptions of the incidents:
• On Tuesday, July 30, an Oak Street resident reported that their 2017 Lexus sedan was stolen from their driveway during the overnight hours. The resident reported that they can’t confirm that the car was locked and believed a set of extra keys may have been left inside.
• Later that same day, an Elm Street resident reported that their 2018 Mercedes Benz SUV was entered during the overnight hours. The resident reported that the vehicle was left unlocked and a pair of Coach sunglasses were stolen from inside the passenger compartment. Home video surveillance of the incident showed that a male actor approached on foot and entered the car at approximately 4:15 a.m. earlier that morning.
• On Thursday, Aug. 1, a Brook Road resident reported that their vehicle was entered overnight and a garage door remote was taken. Home video surveillance showed an unknown vehicle stop at the end of the driveway at approximately 3:20 a.m. A male actor was then observed approaching and entering the victim’s 2019 Jeep SUV. The resident reports the vehicle was left unlocked, and a garage door remote control was taken. The actor is seen opening the garage door, then quickly closing the door before driving away.
• A short time later, Tenafly police officers responded to a Woodland Street address to investigate a report that a 2012 Infiniti sedan was stolen from the driveway during the overnight hours. Home video surveillance showed the vehicle being stolen by an unknown actor just prior to 4 a.m. The vehicle was left unlocked and the keys were inside.
• While officers were on scene investigating the above car theft, a Mayflower Drive resident reported that two of their vehicles were entered during the overnight hours. In this incident, two unlocked vehicles were entered and rummaged through for valuables. A garage door opener was reported stolen from one of the vehicles.
Crimes fit pattern
“Similar types of motor vehicle thefts and car burglaries have been reported in some neighboring towns and other Northern Valley communities,” deMoncada said. “We are urging our residents to lock your vehicles and report anything suspicious to the Tenafly Police Department.
“These crimes usually happen during the overnight hours, and appear to involve criminal groups from Newark using previously stolen cars to travel to our community in search of unlocked vehicles with keys or fobs left inside,” deMoncada said. “Thieves will steal any valuables from an unlocked car, and if a key or key fob is found, they will steal the vehicle from the driveway.”
Some recent video surveillance shows these suspects approaching from the street and driving away in less than a minute, deMoncada said. While home surveillance cameras may deter some thieves, they are not guaranteed to prevent crimes, he added.
“Most thieves are aware that homes will have surveillance cameras. To prevent identification, thieves obscure their face or rely on the fact that most cameras do not have high-enough resolution to capture accurate facial features at a distance, especially under low-light conditions,” deMoncada said. “Despite our patrol officers proactively looking for these criminals throughout the night, we encourage our residents to assist us by immediately reporting suspicious activity to us by calling our 24/7 police desk at (201) 568- 5100. Please remember, the most effective way to prevent these thefts is to remove all valuables, keys (and fobs), and to lock your car.”
Northern Valley Press has been reporting on car thefts in the region—read more here.