Chatham Chief : All Cars Stolen Left Unlocked With Keys Inside

CHATHAM, NJ - Car thefts have ticked up over the past few years and jumped up significantly over the past seven months according to Chatham Township Police Chief Thomas Miller, and he is asking residents to please do the basics to stop this trend.

"Every vehicle stolen in Chatham Township had been left unlocked by the owner with a key fob left in the car allowing a thief to immediately drive it away," Miller said.

According to Miller, the officers in Chatham are doing their part. They've changed their patrol tactics and that they are working hard to decrease this preventable crime. Because decreasing those thefts can help decrease other crimes, Miller said.

"Alarmingly, some vehicles stolen from Chatham Township have been used to commit violent
crimes in other areas, such as shootings and armed robberies. In one incident a stolen vehicle from the Township was used in several armed robberies involving a handgun in Essex County," he said. "Several times our officers have attempted to apprehend individuals that were in freshly stolenv ehicles from our jurisdiction and others but unfortunately had to cease apprehension for the safety of our residents and officers."

Miller that after one recent theft, the stolen car was driven at a patrol car at a high rate of speed.

"Luckily he was able to maneuver his vehicle out of the way to avoid a serious collision," he said.

According to Miller, several of the people involved with the thefts have extensive criminal histories involving violence and serious weapon offenses.

"Individuals who are coming into the Township to commit these thefts are dangerous and potentially put our residents and officers at risk," he said. "We can keep these individuals out of our area by removing the opportunity by simply locking our vehicles and removing the keys and FOBs."

Chatham Polioce are asking residents to be the first line of defense in preventing car thefts and car burglaries:

• Vehicles should never be left unlocked.
• Never leave a key fob in a vehicle.
• Neighbors should watch out for neighbors. Call your neighbor if you see that their
car is unlocked or valuables are visible inside the vehicle.
• Report any suspicious activity or person.
• Call 911 to report crimes in progress.

Miller said these simple, proactive steps to discourage thieves who roam neighborhoods in the dark of night, checking parked vehicles on streets and in driveways to determine whether they are locked.

"All of the vehicle thefts in Chatham Township could have been avoided simply by locking the
vehicle and removing the key fob," he said.

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