Millburn Man Sees Burglars Take Safe From His Home: Police

MILLBURN, NJ — The Millburn police say they're stepping up security after two recent home burglaries, one in which a man was away from his home and saw — on his security camera — people taking a safe from the house.

However, they said they wanted the public to know that the two burglaries are not a sign that crime is not on the rise.

Here are details of the incidents, according to reports from the police:

• Last Wednesday at 6:38 p.m., Millburn Police Officers Lyons and Goldfarb responded to a Cayuga Way residence report of a burglar alarm. The officers discovered forced entry to the rear of the home. The residents were away and it was unknown what was missing at the time of the report. This incident is under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.
• The same day, at 7:11 pm, Officers Herrera, Seebohm, Ford, and Dalakian responded to a Fairfield Terrace residence on a report of a burglary in progress. The resident was away and reported that he was observing security footage of people leaving the premises with a safe. The perpetrators were gone by the time the officers arrived. The safe contained cash and valuables. The incident is under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.

"The Millburn Police Department would like to make the public aware of two burglaries that took place late last week within the township," the police said in a statement. "Both incidents occurred when the residences were left unoccupied for a period of time. Our Detective Bureau has been in contact with the victims and is currently investigating to swiftly bring justice to those involved."

The department said that police patrols around the township have increased, in addition to everyday efforts to combat crime.

Statistics

"We'd like to take a moment to reassure residents that these incidents are not an indication that crime is on the rise in Millburn Township," said the department. "Reported home burglaries have remained relatively static."

They said the numbers were:

• 25 in 2020
• 23 in 2019
• 27 in 2018

"In addition to our police efforts, we call on our residents to continue to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves and their property," the police said.

In some towns, police have noted that cars and homes had been burglarized when left unlocked.

The police suggested these burglary prevention tips:

• If you have a Ring device or video surveillance system at your front door, consider installing them at your back entrance as well.
• If you are planning to travel or be away from your home for an extended period of time, do not share this information on social media or in other public forums.
• Stop mail, newspapers and package deliveries while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or for a friend or neighbor to pick them up from outside your home regularly.
• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, use automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
• Keep watch over your neighbors' homes and ask them to do the same for you!
• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places –burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description, date of purchase, original value and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from the home. Your insurance company can typically assist with making and keeping your inventory.
• If you maintain a safe with important documents and valuables, be sure that the safe is bolted to the floor or hidden in an unexpected place. Burglars know to check for valuables in the master bedroom!
• If you've experienced a break in or lost your keys, change your locks immediately. The same should be done when moving into a new home.

The most important thing you can do is call the Millburn Police Department to report a crime or any suspicious activity, they said. The number is (973) 564-7001.

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