Police in Monroe and Washington townships are urging residents to lock their car doors in the wake of an increase in stolen vehicles.
“This situation has affected not only Monroe Township, but our surrounding communities,” the police noted in a July 19 social media post. “This is a friendly reminder to always lock your vehicle and absolutely do not leave your key fob inside the vehicle.
“Valuables should also not be left in plain sight,” the site added. “The thefts being reported almost always have the keys left with the vehicle, and rarely is forced entry used.”
The Monroe police department’s detective bureau initiated criminal complaints last week in connection to an April vehicle theft in Marissa Court. A 27-year-old male from Camden was identified by detectives as a suspect after credit cards left in the victim’s vehicle were used at businesses in Cherry Hill. He was charged with two counts of credit card fraud on July 11.
The incident is being investigated by Det. Jennifer Skala.
Police were dispatched to the 1800 block of North Black Horse Pike on the morning of July 6 to investigate the theft of a silver Kia Optima. An officer located a vehicle matching the stolen car’s description and attempted a motor-vehicle stop, but the driver – later identified as a 39-year-old male from Lindenwold – attempted to elude police.
The suspect’s vehicle began to move erratically and he lost control, disabled on landscaping rocks in the area of Williamstown Pavilion. He then ran, but was caught by two officers and surrendered without further incident. He was charged with eluding, theft, resisting arrest and criminal mischief and remanded to the Salem County Jail.
In Washington Township, police have also urged residents to lock their car doors and remove keys. A team of thieves stole a red Honda on the afternoon of July 16 from a driveway on Bells Lake Road, near Ganttown Road. The suspects had entered two vehicles in the driveway and fled the area after running over the homeowner’s trash cans and front lawn. The stolen vehicle was last seen by state police on 676 near Camden.
There is currently a state auto theft task force operated by the state police, according to Washington Township police Department, created in response to rising car thefts. The expanded unit includes collaboration with federal, state, county and local law enforcement.
In Monroe, the public can report suspicious activity to dispatch at (856) 728-0800 and officers will respond immediately. Non-emergent tips can be emailed to crimetips@monroetwppd.org.
For Washington Township, the public should call 911 in an emergency. For non-emergency police assistance, call (856) 256-1212.
