Burglary Attempts On The Rise In Chatham, Police Warn

CHATHAM, NJ — A recent uptick in residential burglary attempts around Chatham has prompted police to increase patrol personnel, special enforcement details and specialty equipment.

According to Chatham Borough police, suspects looking to steal locked vehicles have attempted entry into the home three times in the last two months, ostensibly to locate the keys and steal the vehicle(s) locked and parked in the driveway.

On April 30, a suspect broke into a house on Chandler Road through an unlocked back door, stole two sets of keys, and fled with two locked and parked vehicles in the driveway.

In two other recent incidents, suspects attempted to break into homes on Lafayette Avenue and Chandler Road, but the doors were locked and the suspects fled with nothing.

"Regarding the published Chandler Road incident this past Tuesday night, two suspects attempted entry to the front door of the home but fortunately this time, all doors to the home and vehicles were locked, and the suspects made off with nothing. Disturbingly, this is the second time this home has been targeted since late April 30," Chatham Borough Chief Brian Gibbons said.

Police said they have ordered more resources to combat this troubling trend, including more patrol officers, special enforcement teams, and specialty equipment.

Furthermore, Gibbons asserted that they are collaborating with local law enforcement partners on various tactics to identify and apprehend these criminals.

The police department stated that suspects who attempt to break into occupied homes will face the full force of the police department and the law enforcement community at large.

"I alert you to this to raise awareness, not cause hysteria or unreasonable alarm. Overall, our motor vehicle thefts, attempts, and home burglaries are down," Gibbons said.

The borough has had two residential burglaries and three attempted residential burglaries since the beginning of 2023. There have been nine non-residential burglaries and one attempted non-residential burglary during the same time period.

Almost all non-residential burglaries involve motor vehicles, police data showed.

In comparison to the same period in 2022, the borough experienced four residential burglaries and one attempted residential burglary. The borough also had 25 non-residential burglaries and three non-residential attempted burglaries.

"The combined efforts of the public and police department to limit these crimes are successful. My overall intention is to keep it that way, so you maintain your vigilance and partnership with us, and maintain the idyllic community residents and police department have always enjoyed," Gibbons said.

The police are reminding everyone to call if they see any suspicious activity or vehicles, to send them camera footage, and to provide them with vital information that they can use and share with law enforcement partners.

"I hope this posting does not bring you undue alarm…but instead informs you that a new criminal trend is beginning and together we can address this," Gibbons said.