Bernards Police: Burglars Target Cars Left Alone to 'Warm Up'

Spring may be right around the corner, but freezing temperatures are still plaguing Basking Ridge residents. Sitting in an ice-cold car may not be the brightest start to your morning, but warming up your car while leaving the vehicle unattended can make you an easy target for car thieves and burglars.

“As it get colder, thieves often target idling or warming up cars. Please do not leave your cars unlocked and running, even for a moment while running quick errands to coffee shops, bagel shops, cleaners, etc.,” the Bernards Police Department stated online.

Police also reminded local residents to be wary of remote starting vehicles when the car is in range of the key fob.

“If you have a vehicle that only requires the key fob to be in close proximity to the vehicle to be started with a push button, ensure the fob is out of range of the car when parked in your driveway – often the key is left in the console or kept just inside the residence near the entryway door,” Bernards Police stated. “In the past, thieves have entered unlocked vehicles that were in range of the fob, started the vehicle and stolen it.”

Many home safety precautions are often overlooked. Here are some crucial anti-burglrary safety tips to follow, courtesy of the Bernards Township Police Department. For more information, click here.

• Always lock your residence at all times. Thieves will often target unlocked residences.
• Utilize motion lights on the exterior of your home.
• When on vacation, stop newspaper and mail delivery. Newspapers in the driveway or an overflowing mailbox, suggest no one is home.
• Put lights and televisions on timers or delay switch when not home.
• Keep the grass cut when away for extended periods of time.
• Keep detailed records and inventory of all valuable possessions. Have photos available of items like jewelry and antiques. Keep records of manufacturers, model, and serial numbers for valuable electronics.
• Do not leave empty trash or recycling containers in front of the house for long periods of time.
• If possible leave a vehicle or vehicles in the driveway.

“If you see anything you believe to be suspicious, call the Police Department and ask that the person or situation be looked into. Good neighbors report unusual activity,” Police stated. “The Police need our residents to be our eyes and ears.”

For breaking news alerts and more from Patch, sign up for the daily newsletter by clicking on the links below.

Hillsborough* Basking Ridge* Bridgewater* Bernardsville-Bedminster* Warren* Watchung-Green Brook

More on Patch:

• Cops Stop Teens for Shoveling Snow, Stirring A Heap Of Controversy
• Could You Be A Match? Family Fights to Find Bone Marrow Donor for Loving Father Battling Cancer
• Ex-Plainfield Cop With HIV Pleads Guilty to Having Sex With Two Women Without Revealing Status
• Have You Seen These Women? Suspects Caught On Tape Stealing $1,600 In Beauty Products