Jeep Theft Reported on Bernardsville Mountain

Bernardsville Police said the theft of a Jeep Grand Cherokee which had its key fob left inside was reported at about 3 a.m. Wednesday morning from the driveway of a home on Bernardsville Mountain.

The vehicle had been locked, but the key fob was within although not visible, the owner reportedly told police.

Bernardsville Patrol Officer Brian Kelly said the owner of the vehicle, whom he did not identify, contacted police at 2:56 a.m. on Wednesday.

The owner told police that the family had heard a loud noice, such as a breaking branch, and then afterward looked out to see a motion detector light had been activiated, Kelly said. The 2011 green Jeep was missing, but the family didn't see anything or anyone, he said.

Kelly said that the glove compartments of two other unlocked vehicles in the home's driveway had been opened and apparently rifled through. He said he believed that someone had been searching for a key or key fob, which was not located within.

Kelly said police were not releasing the address of the home.

Kelly said police are not at this time connecting the theft to any other vehicle thefts in the area or nearby.

Nevertheless, police are asking residents to call the department at 908-766-0037 to report anything suspicious that may have been seen on Bernardsville mountain around that time.

Residents urged to lock vehicles

Kelly said police are again urging residents to lock all vehicles, and to not keep keys or key fobs within.