AVALON – The Avalon Police Department is seeking three individuals in connection with the theft of a black 2022 BMW X5 from a residential driveway and the burglary of another vehicle, Sept. 17.
On Sunday, at 6:35 a.m., an individual was observed on camera entering a the X5, parked in a driveway located in the 200 block of 64th Street. The APD described the suspect as male, age and race undetermined, wearing all dark clothing. Police said the BMW was unlocked with the key fob inside and the car was stolen within seconds.
Police said a second suspect entered another unlocked vehicle parked on the street, rummaged through the vehicle but was unable to steal anything. Police described the second suspect as African American, wearing a surgical mask. The suspect then quickly got into a waiting getaway vehicle, a black Dodge Charger with tinted windows, driven by a third suspect. Police said the stolen vehicle was later recovered by Avalon Police by use of GPS. All three suspects remain at large.
Avalon police confirmed separate motor vehicle burglaries occurred within the approximate timeframe of the other thefts, on 67th and 72nd streets. Vehicles there were entered, and items were stolen from some of the vehicles.
Vehicle thefts and burglaries, sometimes involving juveniles, have been reported on the barrier islands in recent years. Two juveniles were arrested Aug. 3 in Egg Harbor Township for allegedly stealing three cars out of Ocean City.
Some residents of Stone Harbor Manor helped foil attempted car burglaries in that area, July 20, when they questioned strangers trying to open the doors of high-end cars parked in driveways. Last year, several high-end automobiles were stolen out of nearby Avalon. Police have speculated that some shore communities are being targeted by car theft rings.
The Wildwood Crest Police Department (WCPD) arrested three 15-year-olds from Millville on July 7. The trio allegedly drove a vehicle stolen out of Millville to Wildwood Crest. WCPD officers located three cars with broken back side windows and steering columns that were disassembled, and ignition wires exposed.
Avalon Police Chief Jeff Christopher said his department always works with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police on cases like this. He said detectives from all the agencies involved in a case will process the recovered vehicles for evidence.
Asked about car thefts in Avalon, Christopher said there was no clear pattern for the thefts, which occurred at various times with different lengths of time between thefts. He said there were some similarities in the behaviors the thieves exhibited, such as using a getaway vehicle occupied by several suspects, often in dark clothing and surgical masks and gloves. He said the thieves typically enter unlocked vehicles with key fobs inside.
Stone Harbor Police Chief Thomas Schutta said in a previous article that people should never leave their car keys in their cars. He said the side view mirrors on some high-end cars will move to the out position if the key fob is in the car.
Christopher said his department tries to publicize the fact that people can prevent becoming a victim of theft by taking some common steps, such as locking their cars and homes.
“I often meet with community groups and spread awareness at every possible opportunity,” Christopher said, adding that they spread the word through printed flyers and through social media.
The Avalon Police Department asks any member of the public having information related to these crimes to call the Avalon Police Detectives at 609-967-3411. Avalon Police remind the public that these are often crimes of opportunity and subjects often only enter or steal motor vehicles that are unlocked. Locking vehicles and homes remain the best deterrents to avoid access to keys, they said. If you see anything suspicious, please call the Avalon Police Department.
