Car Thefts Prompt Barnegat Police Warning: Lock Your Vehicles

BARNEGAT, NJ — Barnegat police are urging residents to lock vehicles that are parked on the street or in their driveway after five vehicles were stolen early Saturday.

Vehicles were reported stolen outside of homes in the Pheasant Run, Horizons and Heritage Point North Developments, Barnegat police said Monday.

The five vehicles included a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2017 Honda Civic, 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, 2018 Honda CRV and 2015 Audi A4. All of the vehicles have been recovered except for the Audi A4, police said.

The vehicles were left unlocked by their owners and some had keys in them, police said.

Any residents who have information or video surveillance from the incident are asked to contact Det. William Hetrick at 609-698-5000, ext. 218 or Patrolman Robert Armstrong at 609-698-5000, ext. 225.

“An unlocked vehicle makes an easy target for theft of items from your vehicle or theft of the vehicle itself, please do not leave your keys in your vehicle and make sure you lock your vehicle whether it is parked in the street or your driveway,” Barnegat police said on Facebook. “Keep anything valuable out of sight if it is stored in your vehicle.”

A recent rise in car thefts on Long Beach Island and Beach Haven West has also prompted Stafford police to remind residents to lock their vehicles in recent weeks.

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