COLTS NECK – The Colts Neck Police Department is advising residents to remove the key fob from their vehicles and to lock their vehicles following an increase in thefts.
In an Oct. 6 post on social media, police department officials wrote, “There has been a steady increase in motor vehicle thefts and vehicle burglaries in our community and surrounding towns.
“Over the past six months, the Colts Neck Police Department has responded to numerous calls in reference to vehicles being stolen and/or burglarized. During this time period there have been 12 vehicles stolen and over 45 vehicles burglarized.
“Every stolen vehicle had the keys or the key fob in the vehicle and every vehicle that was burglarized was unlocked.
“Keys to residences, as well as garage door openers left in unsecured vehicles, may also be used to gain entry to your house, which has occurred multiple times in our town,” police department officials wrote.
“The criminals committing these acts have no regard for the lives and safety of you, your families or our officers. These criminal acts are easily preventable by simply securing your vehicles and taking the keys inside the house.
“By leaving your vehicle unsecured, you are inviting criminals into your community and putting the community at risk. These criminal acts are crimes of opportunity and the people committing these crimes will return if they know vehicles are left unsecured.
“The Colts Neck Police Department urges everyone to lock their vehicles and to remove all keys, key fobs and valuables from your vehicles when not in use. There is no excuse to being a victim of an easily preventable crime,” police department officials wrote.
