4 Burglaries, 2 Days: Warren Police Warn Residents To Be On Alert

WARREN, NJ — Warren Police are warning residents to be on alert as burglaries on the rise in town and throughout Somerset County.

Warren just recently had four reported burglaries in the past two days, according to the blotter:

• On Monday, Aug. 22 at 8:22 a.m.: Police reported to 51 Mount Bethel Road on a report of burglary. Patrol advised the unknown actor(s) forced entry into a commercial trailer located in the rear parking lot and removed approximately $2,500 worth of landscaping equipment.
• On Monday, Aug. 22 at 3:07 p.m.: A theft was reported at 82 Morning Glory Road. An unknown actor removed a gas can containing approximately $5 worth of gas from the property.
• On Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 5:29 a.m.: A Casale Drive resident reported a stolen motor vehicle. The victim's 20111 BMW Sedan was taken from the driveway between 6 p.m. on Monday and 5:29 a.m. Tuesday. The victim's car keys and personal documents were inside the vehicle at the time of the theft.
• On Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 9:09 a.m.: A Tulip Court resident reported a residential burglary. The incident occurred between Monday at 6 p.m. and Tuesday at 9 a.m. Patrol advised entry was gained by forced entry through the front door. Approximately $6,000 to $7,000 in cash and $12,000 in assorted jewelry were stolen from the home.

"We believe the new style burglary crews currently spread out through New Jersey are affiliated with career burglars who typically strike between 7 p.m. and 12 a.m. (midnight). They work in groups of 2-4 persons operating expensive vehicles which would not typically stand out in your neighborhood. Entry into homes has been gained by shouldering exterior doors or smashing rear glass doors. Additionally, power boxes have been tampered with or ripped off the exterior of the residences. The actor(s) are sometimes in the residence for several minutes ransacking numerous rooms, closets, desks, and dressers (etc) looking for anything of value," Warren Police stated in a release sent to residents.

Warren Police offered these tips to avoid being a victim of burglary:

1. Install quality door locks and dead bolts to all exterior doors of your home.
2. If you do not have one or both, install an alarm system and surveillance cameras on the exterior and interior of your home. Make sure the alarm is monitored by a central station that will immediately notify the police first of an activation. Additionally, when you install cameras, ensure that the system has street, driveway, and perimeter views as well as the interior near all entrances of the home. If you already have these systems make sure you activate them accordingly. When having these systems installed or updated we suggest you have a battery/cellular back up in place as well as remote monitoring capabilities available.
3. Install motion lights on the perimeter of your property and make sure the exterior of your home is always well lit during all night time hours.
4. Communicate with your neighbors. Advise them when you're going on vacation or extended weekend trips so they can monitor your home, mail and any activity that may be out of the ordinary.
5. DO NOT post on any social media sites that you are on vacation and for how long. We advise that you post any pictures/events from your trip after you return home.
6. Add your home to the Warren Township Police Department "Vacant House List" when you go on vacation or extended weekend trips. Once on the list, your home will be specifically checked by the patrol division in your absence. Refer towarrenpolice.com for the vacant house list form.
7. DO NOT leave your keys in your vehicle or leave it unlocked at anytime while parked in your driveway.
8. Report ANY and ALL suspicious activity you may see in your neighborhood, no matter how minor it may appear.

To have a security survey performed at your home, contact Lt. Eric Yaccarino at 908-753-1000.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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