Jeep Stolen, Other Cars Ransacked, in Bernardsville Spree

The theft of a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee parked in a driveway on Winding Way that took place between late last Friday night or early Saturday, along with break-ins in 10 other vehicles during a similar time period, is being investigated by Bernardsville Police and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Police Chief Kevin Valentine said the Jeep was stolen from a home's driveway, and 10 unlocked vehicles in other home's driveways were entered and rummaged through.

The owners of seven of those vehicles reported various personal items were stolen from inside, Valentine said. Items reported stolen included computer equipment, a wallet, personal papers and a volunteer fire department blue light and turnout gear, the chief said.

The vehicles broken into were parked in the area of Mullens Lane, Winding Way, Tower Mountain Rd., Harvey Drive, Overleigh Road, Crest Drive, Stonefence Road and Highview Avenue, Valentine said.

On Saturday afternoon, borough police canvassed the neighborhoods where the crimes had occurred searching for additional unreported thefts and seeking any information or witnesses who might have information, Valentine said.

The police department also issued a community notification message on Saturday afternoon, notifying residents about the thefts and asking anyone with information to report their observations to the police department, which can be reached at 908-766-0037, Valentine said.

The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit is assisting in the investigation, Valentine said. He added that no other details regarding the investigation are being released at this time. 

Borough police are again warning residents that cars should be locked and valuables removed from vehicles left parked in private driveways or other public parking areas in the borough.

“These thefts were crimes of opportunity that may potentially have been prevented if the vehicles were locked,” Valentine said.  “Residents in the borough have experienced these types of crimes before and police have issued warnings for residents to lock their vehicles on prior occasions," he added.

When contacted by email, Capt. Jack Bennett of the Somerset County Prosecutor's office would not answer whether the Jeep had been unlocked at the time it was stolen. "It is an ongoing investigation," he responded.