Car Thefts To Warrant Jail Time, Fine Under Proposed Holmdel Ordinance

HOLMDEL, NJ - Following numerous reports of vehicle thefts in Monmouth County, Holmdel officials are proposing strict penalties for car thieves.

Per an ordinance introduced at the Holmdel Township Committee’s Nov. 22 meeting, car thefts would be punishable by a $2,000 fine or up to a 90-day prison term. The minimum penalty shall be a fine of $1000 for the first offense and $2000 for each second or recurring offense.

The ordinance will be considered for adoption at the Holmdel Township Committee’s next meeting at 4 Crawfords Corner Road at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13.

You can view the ordinance and full meeting agenda here.

“Due to a variety of factors, the Township, its surrounding municipalities, and much of New Jersey is experiencing a spate of motor vehicle thefts, which has not been adequately addressed by … our State government,” the ordinance reads.

“To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Holmdel, the Township Committee seeks to adopt certain ordinance provisions that are intended to protect the security of motor vehicles in the Township from activities related to theft.”

The ordinance would specifically make it illegal for a person to enter or stay on a driveway, paved surface or location within 20 feet a stationary vehicle, as well as:

• Peer into a window of a motor vehicle that the person does not own, license or have permission to access
• Pull a door handle or takes an action in an attempt to open or unlock a motor vehicle that the person does not own or have license or privilege to possess
• Possess an electronic device that is capable of determining if an electronic key is located inside a motor vehicle.

Under the ordinance, it would also be illegal for someone to be present inside a motor vehicle if another occupant of the motor vehicle committed a violation of the above prior to entry of the vehicle.

Vehicle thefts have been on the rise in recent years in Holmdel, Monmouth County and across New Jersey.

Notably, in October, a chaotic series of events involving a carjacked SUV and subsequent police-involved shooting took place on Route 35, resulting in a probe from the state Attorney General’s Office. Read more: Carjacking Charges For Man Shot By Holmdel Police