UPDATE: Township says Task Force Investigating Car Thefts

Update: Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.

In response to concerns of residents, township officials Tuesday night said that there is a task force - including local and state police officers, the prosecutor’s office and the sheriff’s office - investigating the car break-ins and thefts in the area.

Furthermore, said Township Administrator Tim Gordon, authorities think it is an organized gang committing this multi-town crime wave and they are close to making some arrests.

“When they steal cars, they ship them out of the country,” Gordon said. “It’s very organized. That’s why we’ve got this big task force.”

Mayor Sandra Haimoff said some arrests were made in the summer in the last wave, but they are trying to get to the top of the organization.

Millburn Police have beefed up patrols and have put more officers on duty on nights that typically have seen an increase in break-ins, Gordon said.

“Believe it or not, people still don’t lock their car doors,” said Gordon, telling the case of one couple who parked both cars in the garage, left the keys in both and then left the garage open. Both cars were stolen, he said. 

Gordon said he is meeting with vendors this week to price video surveillance cameras to be placed in strategic areas, including the exits and entrances to Millburn.

Committee Member Ted Bourke said, “Word has to be spread to be careful.”

“Yes,” Gordon said, “Take caution. These are organized gangs.”

Millburn Police Public Information Officer Lt. Pete Eakley, speaking on behalf of Chief Greg Weber and the department, said that police would neither deny nor confirm the existence or its participation in any formal task force "that may be combatting motor vehicle burglaries."

Furthermore, Eakley said, the police will not comment on any "active investigation, tactics or pending arrests," except when it comes to safeguarding the public.

"This is so we do not compromise the pending investigation and prosecution of the suspected perpetrators or compromise the safety of law enforcement officers."

When asked about the Township Committee discussing the task force at a public meeting, Eakely would not comment other than to repeat that "the police department would neither deny nor confirm the existence or its participation in" such a task force.

In the past, police have said they are working closely with the