Police: Would-Be Car Burglar Caught

It seems Gloucester Township residents are heeding police advice to lock their car doors. Doing so appears to have stopped an alleged car burglar, police said Saturday.

Patrolman Eric Marconi was on duty in the Heritage Hill development Nov. 12 at 1:13 a.m. when he spotted what police called a suspicious man in the area, later identified as Kent Jackson, 22, from Ware Street, Camden.

Police said Jackson gave conflicting accounts about why he was in the neighborhood. An investigation revealed that Jackson was attempting to burglarize cars there, according to reports.

"Fortunately, numerous vehicles in this area were found locked by Kent Jackson, thankfully due to these residents being proactive," said in a release. "The burglary and theft from autos is strictly a crime of opportunity. By simply locking your car doors you take away the opportunity."

Police have repeatedly issued reminders for residents to lock car doors after a earlier this summer. 

Jackson is charged with criminal attempt burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released pending a court date.