Chatham Township Police Investigating Burglary, Vehicle Theft

CHATHAM, NJ—Chatham Township Police announced on Friday evening a residential burglary and a vehicle theft from a township home.

According to police, in the predawn hours on Friday morning, Sept. 18, a home near Overlook Road was burglarized and a vehicle was stolen from the home's driveway. The residents were home during the burglary, but did not encounter the suspects. Police said the home was entered through an unsecured rear door.

The incident is the latest in a series of break-ins in Chatham Township. On Thursday evening, hours before the latest incident, Chatham Township Police Chief Thomas Miller and Chatham Borough Chief Brian Gibbons held a Zoom call with the public. The event was pre-scheduled, but many of the questions focused on the recent burglaries.

"We are diligently out there nightly," said Miller, "whether you see us in a police car or not. I can't give away our tactics, but trust me, we are out there."

The township's announcement on Friday said measures like increased patrols and a multi-jurisdictional task force have been in place for months to stop the burglaries. Chatham Borough Chief Brian Gibbons asked for the public to help by focusing on one factor.

"We want you to report suspicious behavior," said Gibbons, "not suspicious people. Focus on the behavior. Are they hiding? Are they in someone's yard? Report the behavior to us."

Both chiefs said the crimes were preventable by residents securing their homes and vehicles.

"We need the help of the residents to continue to lock their doors," Miller said, "continue to take key fobs out of their cars, and hopefully we can drive these individuals out of our town."