DENNISVILLE – During its regular meeting Aug. 8, Dennis Township Committee discussed a recent spate of car break-ins.
“There were six to eight car break-ins although electronic devices like iPads, cellphones and the like were not taken. Cash was missing from these cars that were left unlocked.
“It seems the number of these break-ins is increasing and the state troopers have stepped up their patrols. We urge all Dennis residents and visitors to keep their cars locked and not leave anything, especially of value, visible in their cars,” said Mayor Zeth Matalucci.
In consultation with the Woodbine Barracks, the New Jersey State Police Bureau of Public Information in Trenton provided more information through its spokesperson, Lt. Ted Shafer.
“It seems in Dennis Township, these types of break-ins come in waves in the summer. The area is a lovely and rural place, but residents and visitors need to be absolutely vigilant in locking their cars since these break-ins occurred where vehicles were not locked.
“Many people think that they should leave their cars unlocked, so thieves don’t break the window when looking to rob something. But the key is to never, ever leave anything in a car that is visible.
“Even spare change for Parkway tolls should not be visible. The noise from breaking glass is something a thief doesn’t want to risk anyway.
“We’ve discovered that a fishing rod and reel taken from a car was found in a neighbor’s yard, so that shows what this is about: quick cash to fuel drug addiction, stealing items that can easily be fenced. Similarly, iPads and tablets were left in cars that were broken into.”
The main area for these break-ins has been in the eastern part of the township, Shafer added.
“I cannot stress enough, don’t leave anything in sight and lock up. This can happen to anybody; even one of our troopers who fell asleep on the sofa watching TV and went out to lock his car at 2 a.m. discovered his car had been broken into with items stolen.
“But if you lock up and don’t leave anything in sight, you will prevent this kind of theft,” he concluded.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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