Stafford Police Chief Addresses Rise In Car Thefts

STAFFORD, NJ — Mayor Gregory Myhre and Police Chief Thomas Dellane provided guidance to residents on how to prevent potential car thefts during a mayor’s briefing on Monday.

"We're going to talk about what's been happening in our area. There have been a number of car thefts," Myhre said at the start of the briefing.

In the past three months, 25 unlocked vehicles were stolen from Stafford, Barnegat and Long Beach townships, according to Police Chief Thomas Dellane. The latest theft was reported Monday morning.

“What troubles me most about this is the fact that all 25 of those vehicles had their keys or key fobs left in the vehicle, which makes it a very easy crime of opportunity," Dellane said.

Most of the car thefts have happened between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.

Dellane said the police department suspects that people from out of town have been stealing the unlocked vehicles. The Barnegat Township Police Department announced on Friday that three men from Atlantic City and one man from Absecon were charged in connection with the theft of motor vehicles from the township.

In Stafford Township, electronic message boards on Route 72 contain reminders about locking vehicles at night.

The police department is also urging residents to establish a "9 p.m. routine," which involves locking doors, windows and vehicles, removing any valuables and turning on exterior lights.

Dellane is asking residents who see anything unusual or people walking around late at night to call the police department as quickly as possible.

"Most of the time people say 'I saw something but I didn’t want to bother the police department,'" he said. “I always say, you are not bothering us. We are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s what we’re here for.”

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